ARTICLE · 02 JULY 2026

Approved But Unconnected: South Africa’s Renewable Energy Paradox

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South Africa's environmental approval process has achieved remarkable efficiency, authorizing 4,861 MW of electricity generation capacity in just 100 days.

South AfricaEnvironment

Carlyn Frittelli Davies

Fortune Shanduka

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For years, developers and lenders have complained that environmental authorisations take too long, cost too much, and hold up projects the country desperately needs. That criticism was once fair. It no longer is.

In just 100 days, 4 861 MW of electricity generation capacity secured environmental approval. Minister Aucamp confirmed this in February 2026, noting that 54 of the 80 environmental impact assessment ("EIA") applications processed by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment ("DFFE") during that period were linked to energy generation and transmission infrastructure. His predecessor, Minister George, reported that between June 2024 and March 2025, the DFFE finalised 220 independent power producer-related EIA applications at a 99% efficiency rate within the 57-day decision-making timeframe prescribed for projects in Renewable Energy Development Zones (REDZs") and Strategic Infrastructure Projects.

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