MEDIA STATEMENT
BY DEPUTY MINISTER OF ELECTRICITY AND ENERGY, ALEXANDRA ABRAHAMS
TO ALL MEDIA AND NEWS EDITORS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, 1 OCTOBER 2026
UPDATE ON SOUTH AFRICAN RENEWABLE ENERGY MASTERPLAN IMPLEMENTATION
The Executive Oversight Committee on the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan (SAREM), chaired by Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy, Alexandra Abrahams, met on Wednesday to discuss progress and endorse key research and strategic documents that will advance the goals of the SAREM. The Committee is comprised of representatives from government departments, industry associations, labour unions, and stakeholders from across the renewable energy sector.
Deputy Minister Abrahams said: “SAREM comes at an important point in the transformation of South Africa’s electricity sector. For me, the starting point is straightforward: our energy transition must ultimately work for the South African consumer and for the South African economy. That means keeping accessibility and affordability firmly in view.”
The Department of Electricity and Energy is moving forward with key implementation steps under the SAREM. This work reinforces the government’s commitment to advancing a sustainable energy transition while expanding local manufacturing to deliver an affordable and reliable electricity supply.
Progress across the priority implementation clusters demonstrates practical movement towards expanding local industrial capacity. The SAREM Project Management Office is now established and preparing to publish unified public and private procurement pipeline updates to clear market uncertainty.
Concurrently, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and the Independent Power Producer Office are aligning local manufacturing opportunities. Public comments are also being gathered by the International Trade Administration Commission on trade tools for renewable energy and battery energy storage products, which are critical to scaling renewable energy generation.
To support workforce readiness, the third phase of the PowerUp skills platform is underway alongside expanded youth internship drives. Work is also advancing on dedicated funding mechanisms to broaden economic participation across the energy value chain.
Deputy Minister Abrahams added: “Building a strong local supply chain directly reduces project delays and lowers energy costs over time. This structured approach will ensure that our transition delivers affordable and reliable electricity to households and businesses across the country.”
The Department of Electricity and Energy will continue working alongside other government departments, social partners, industry bodies, and international agencies to ensure that South Africa keeps up momentum in its energy transition.
MEDIA ENQUIRES:
Alexandra Abrahams, Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy
DMAbrahams@dee.gov.za
083 261 8788
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICITY AND ENERGY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA