Energy and transition economics
2026-04-26
9 minute read
5 sources
South Africa 2026: Load Shedding Recovery, GNU Economics, Treasury Credibility
Eskom availability has clawed back from crisis lows, the Government of National Unity is testing whether coalition politics can hold a fiscal anchor, and Treasury credibility now hinges on whether transmission build, REIPPPP procurement, and Operation Vulindlela can convert kilowatt hours into GDP growth before the 2027 budget cycle.
South Africa enters the second quarter of 2026 with load shedding largely suspended for the first sustained stretch since 2021, but the recovery is fragile and uneven. Eskom's energy availability factor has rebuilt from the low fifties to the mid sixties, the REIPPPP and battery storage windows are finally clearing financial close, and th...