JET IP Quarterly Progress Dashboard
Executive Summary
The year 2026 marks the third year of implementation of the Just Energy Transition Implementation Plan (JET IP), following Cabinet approval in November 2023. This sixth quarterly progress report highlights both progress and ongoing challenges in translating international pledges into project allocations and implementation.
Q1 2026 At A Glance
In Implementation
Completed Projects
Approved
Planned
Funding Platform Projects Matched
Provisionally Approved
Ready for Matching
Funding Platform Applications Received
Q1 2026 Key Messages
- International pledges increased to USD 14.36 bn (ZAR 254.24 bn), representing a quarter-on-quarter increase of approximately USD 449 mn (ZAR 7.95 bn), driven by new commitments from Germany, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the European Union (EU).
- Overall allocation rate stands at 42.6% with USD 6.12 bn / ZAR 108.24 bn allocated across funding instruments.
- Policy loans (92%) and grants (87%) show high allocation rates, while highly concessional loans (0%), other guarantees (6.7%) and commercial debt/equity/guarantees (7.0%) remain significantly under-allocated.
- Portfolio coordination structures are operational or maturing across all six Just Energy Transition (JET) portfolios, with workstreams actively meeting and identifying investment pathways.
- Preparations for implementation of the Accelerating Coal Transition Investment Plan (ACT IP) are advancing for five Eskom coal-fired power stations (Camden, Hendrina, Grootvlei, Arnot, and Kriel) scheduled for retirement by 2030, with submission to the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) expected in May 2026.
- The JET Funding Platform is scaling up operations: the Third Call for Expressions of Interest opened on 24 February 2026 and is scheduled to close on 8 April 2026, while development of the funder portal and implementation of the pooled fund pilot are underway.
- Pilot Impact Indicators are being introduced in 2026 through technical engagement between the JET Project Management Unit (PMU) and Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) to align with the Integrated Indicator Framework (IIF).
JET Governance and Coordination Framework
The JET Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC), comprising ten Cabinet Ministers and chaired by the Minister of Electricity and Energy, continues to provide political leadership and oversight. The JET Government Steering Committee (GSC) supports implementation oversight across 19 institutions. The JET PMU in the Presidency coordinates implementation of the JET Investment Plan, mobilises and matches financing, and manages cross-cutting systems, including the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) framework, the JET information portal, the Funding Platform, and the online JET Investments Register.
JET International Financing Status
As at 31 March 2026 · Comparison of pledged versus allocated finance by instrument and partner
Quarter-on-quarter growth
Net increase of approximately USD 449 mn (ZAR 7.95 bn) from Q4 2025 (USD 13.92 bn) to Q1 2026 (USD 14.36 bn). The current pledge total represents approximately 70% growth from the original 2021 commitment of USD 8.45 bn (ZAR 149.6 bn). Principal drivers this quarter:
- Germany's JET III concessional loan: EUR 200 mn (USD 216 mn / ZAR 3.82 bn) to the Green Hydrogen Portfolio.
- African Development Bank (AfDB) Inclusive Green Growth and Governance Programme (IGGGP) policy loan expanded from USD 300 mn to USD 475 mn (+USD 175 mn / ZAR 3.10 bn).
- European Union (EU) and German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) joint commitment: EUR 29.5 mn combined — EUR 27.5 mn to the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) technical cooperation programme promoting critical raw minerals and green hydrogen value chains, plus EUR 2 mn for critical minerals skills development.
Allocation Rate by Instrument (USD millions)
Pledged vs Allocated by Instrument (USD & ZAR)
| Instrument | Projects | USD Pledged (mn) | USD Allocated (mn) | ZAR Pledged (bn) | ZAR Allocated (bn) | Allocation % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grants | 237 | 989 | 862 | 17.51 | 15.26 | 87.2% |
| Highly Concessional Loans | 0 | 450 | 0 | 7.97 | – | 0.0% |
| Concessional Loans | 6 | 3,539 | 1,156 | 62.64 | 20.46 | 32.7% |
| Policy Loans | 3 | 4,050 | 3,726 | 71.69 | 65.95 | 92.0% |
| Other Guarantees | 1 | 1,300 | 87 | 23.01 | 1.54 | 6.7% |
| Commercial Debt, Equity & Guarantees | 10 | 4,036 | 284 | 71.44 | 5.03 | 7.0% |
| Total (incl. Private & Local DFIs) | 257 | 14,364 | 6,115 | 254.24 | 108.24 | 42.6% |
Partner-Level Breakdown of Pledged vs Allocated Finance (USD millions)
| Category | Funder | Planned (USD mn) | Allocated (USD mn) | Allocation % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Partners Group (IPG) | Denmark (incl. Danida) | 176 | 56 | 31.8% |
| IPG | European Union (incl. EUD/EIB) | 1,580 | 284 | 18.0% |
| IPG | France (incl. AFD) | 1,084 | 760 | 70.1% |
| IPG | Germany (incl. KfW) | 2,901 | 2,901 | 100.0% |
| IPG | Netherlands (incl. Invest International) | 169 | 91 | 53.8% |
| IPG | United Kingdom | 1,874 | 391 | 20.9% |
| IPG | United States (USAID) | – | 14 | – |
| IPG Sub-total | 7,784 | 4,497 | 57.8% | |
| Other Sovereign | Canada | 99 | 99 | 100.0% |
| Other Sovereign | Spain (incl. FIEM / COFIDES) | 2,284 | 3 | 0.1% |
| Other Sovereign | Switzerland (incl. SECO) | 39 | 39 | 100.0% |
| Other Sovereign Bilateral Sub-total | 2,422 | 141 | 5.8% | |
| Multilateral Development Banks (MDB) | African Development Bank (AfDB) | 483 | 477 | 98.8% |
| MDB | Climate Investment Funds (CIF) | 1,470 | 0 | 0.0% |
| MDB | World Bank (IBRD) | 1,000 | 1,000 | 100.0% |
| MDB Sub-total | 2,953 | 1,477 | 50.0% | |
| Private Sector | CIF leverage target for ACT IP | 875 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Local DFIs | CIF leverage target for ACT IP | 330 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Private Sector & Local DFIs Sub-total | 1,205 | 0 | 0.0% | |
| Grand Total (incl. Private Sector & Local DFIs) | 14,364 | 6,115 | 42.6% | |
Note on differences between Financing Status and Portfolio Allocations
The total Financing Status allocation of USD 6.12 bn (ZAR 108.24 bn) is higher than the total Portfolio-level project allocation of USD 4.32 bn (ZAR 76.33 bn). The approximately USD 1.80 bn (ZAR 31.91 bn) gap reflects funder-level envelopes — notably policy-loan and concessional-loan tranches — that are contractually committed at the Financing Status level but have not yet been decomposed into individual project rows in the JET Investments Register. The two views capture different stages of JET financing: an instrument-based view versus a project-based view.
Persistent bottleneck
The 42.6% overall allocation rate against pledges underscores a persistent challenge in project pipeline readiness, particularly for highly concessional loans (pending Accelerating Coal Transition Investment Plan (ACT IP) finalisation), commercial debt and equity, and other guarantees. Spain's USD 2,268 mn envelope under commercial debt, equity and guarantees remains unallocated, pending activation of the underlying deployment mechanisms. For 2026, the key priorities are to unlock the unallocated funds — particularly through the planned Renewable Energy Sites for Transition (RESET) and Mpumalanga Jobs and Energy Transition (MJET) programmes — and to operationalise the JET Investments Register to also track domestic public and private sector spending.
Portfolio Progress
This section summarises investments by status and Just Energy Transition (JET) portfolio as reflected in the JET Investments Register as of 31 March 2026. These categories are mutually exclusive. A total of 257 projects are registered across all portfolios with USD 4.32 bn (ZAR 76.33 bn) allocated at portfolio level — a ~4% increase from the previous quarter.
Planned
Approved
Implementation
Completed
Allocated Funding by JET Portfolio (USD mn · Share of Total)
Portfolio Detail (Project Counts & Allocations)
| Portfolio | Projects | USD allocated (m) | ZAR allocated (m) | % of projects | % of USD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 74 | 3,118.6 | 55,145.7 | 28.8% | 72.3% |
| Green Hydrogen | 19 | 462.9 | 8,192.5 | 7.4% | 10.7% |
| Municipalities | 31 | 311.3 | 5,509.6 | 12.1% | 7.2% |
| JT-Mpumalanga | 63 | 173.4 | 3,068.7 | 24.5% | 4.0% |
| Skills | 53 | 148.1 | 2,621.1 | 20.6% | 3.4% |
| Energy Efficiency | 7 | 39.6 | 700.9 | 2.7% | 0.9% |
| NEVs | 8 | 38.6 | 683.7 | 3.1% | 0.9% |
| Road to Rail | 2 | 23.0 | 407.1 | 0.8% | 0.5% |
| Total | 257 | 4,315.5 | 76,329.3 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
Projects by Status and Portfolio
| Portfolio | Planned | Approved | Implementation | Completed | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 4 | 4 | 43 | 23 | 74 |
| JT-Mpumalanga | 3 | 7 | 28 | 25 | 63 |
| Skills | 7 | 5 | 25 | 16 | 53 |
| Municipalities | 1 | 1 | 14 | 15 | 31 |
| Green Hydrogen | 4 | 0 | 10 | 5 | 19 |
| NEVs | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 8 |
| Energy Efficiency | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Road to Rail | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Grand Total | 23 | 18 | 129 | 87 | 257 |
Implementation momentum: Combined, the Implementation Phase (USD 2,253 mn) and Completed projects (USD 954 mn) account for approximately 74% of registered portfolio funding — either actively being deployed or already delivering tangible outcomes. Electricity, Green Hydrogen and Municipalities together account for ~90% of total registered JET portfolio funding.
Electricity Portfolio
The Electricity Just Energy Transition (JET) Portfolio focuses on transmission infrastructure upgrades and expansion to enable renewable energy uptake, and on the Accelerating Coal Transition Investment Plan (ACT IP) for repowering, repurposing, community development and decommissioning of five Eskom coal power stations scheduled to retire by 2030.
Total Allocated
Share of JET Portfolio Funding
Coal Stations Closing by 2030
Independent Transmission Programme (ITP) Pre-qualified Bidders
Status of Electricity Portfolio Projects
| Status | Total USD (mn) | Total ZAR (mn) | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. Planned | 13 | 236.47 | 0.4% |
| B. Approved | 454 | 8,034.03 | 14.6% |
| C. Implementation Phase | 1,748 | 30,947.38 | 56.1% |
| D. Completed | 903 | 15,927.90 | 28.9% |
| Grand Total | 3,119 | 55,145.78 | 100.0% |
Transmission
JET concessional loans totalling USD 3.64 bn (ZAR 64.43 bn) are available for Eskom to borrow for grid investment via its subsidiary, the National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA), established in 2024. The Department of Electricity and Energy (DEE), in partnership with National Treasury, is enabling private sector participation through the Independent Transmission Programme (ITP), with Phase 1 procurement scheduled for 2026. Seven pre-qualified bidders have received a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) to prepare technical and commercial bids ahead of the final RFP later in 2026/27 FY. The Credit Guarantee Vehicle (CGV) is being prepared by National Treasury and the World Bank Group to de-risk this private investment.
ACT Investment Plan
The Integrated Resource Plan (October 2025) confirms the 2030 target date for closure of Camden, Grootvlei, Hendrina, Kriel and Arnot. Implementation of the Updated ACT IP is being advanced through the Renewable Energy Sites for Transition (RESET) Programme (infrastructure-focused, repowering through renewable Public-Private Partnerships at coal sites) and the Mpumalanga Jobs and Energy Transition (MJET) Programme (socio-economic transition). The Project Appraisal Document is to be submitted to the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) in May 2026. The Accelerating Coal Transition (ACT) Desk within the JET Project Management Unit (PMU) is being operationalised to coordinate implementing agencies.
Key Milestones & Timeline
Municipalities Portfolio
The Just Energy Transition (JET) Municipal Council, chaired by the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) CEO, and its three workstreams — Capability, Financing and Energy Access — are operational with participation by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), the Department of Electricity and Energy (DEE), National Treasury, the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), Eskom and the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI).
Total Allocated
Council Workstreams
Third Council Meeting
German International Climate Initiative (IKI) Programme Target
Status of Municipalities Portfolio Projects
| Status | Total USD (mn) | Total ZAR (mn) | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. Planned | 130 | 2,293.92 | 41.6% |
| B. Approved | 30 | 525.69 | 9.5% |
| C. Implementation Phase | 140 | 2,473.58 | 44.9% |
| D. Completed | 12 | 216.65 | 4.0% |
| Grand Total | 311 | 5,509.84 | 100.0% |
Municipal Utility Reform Programme (MURP)
The United Kingdom (UK) and African Development Bank (AfDB)-funded MURP, launched in late 2025, picks up pace in 2026. It pilots institutional and financing reforms in four Mpumalanga municipalities and aims to channel concessional and private investment into municipal water and electricity infrastructure, supported by technical assistance and the UK guarantee facility for AfDB lending.
German IKI Programme
The German IKI-funded municipal JET programme begins in Q2 2026 to support 20 municipalities over three years to develop capacity and project plans for investment in modernising distribution infrastructure ahead of the wholesale electricity market.
Pipeline development
During Q1 2026, the JET Municipal Portfolio continued building a municipal JET project pipeline, beginning with the top 20 electricity-distribution licenced municipalities. Focus areas include grid refurbishment, loss reduction, embedded generation integration and electrification. Mapping of project preparation efforts with applicable funding modalities and eligibility requirements has begun and will be strengthened through operationalisation of the IKI-funded programme.
Mpumalanga Just Transition Portfolio
Mpumalanga Province's Just Transition Coordination Committee (JTCC) is chaired jointly by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDT) and the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA), with the Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency (MGCA) as Secretariat.
Projects
Grant-funded Projects
Funding Partners
Mpumalanga Funding Platform Applications
Status of Mpumalanga JT Portfolio Projects
| Status | Projects | USD (mn) | ZAR (mn) | % of USD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Planned | 3 | 34.84 | 616.67 | 20.1% |
| B. Approved | 7 | 80.87 | 1,431.40 | 46.6% |
| C. Implementation Phase | 28 | 51.86 | 917.92 | 29.9% |
| D. Completed | 25 | 5.83 | 103.19 | 3.4% |
| Grand Total | 63 | 173.40 | 3,069.18 | 100.0% |
Featured Q1 2026 Case Study: Grootvlei Climate Smart Horticulture Centre
Launched on 27 January 2026 at Grootvlei Power Station, the Centre is a partnership between Eskom, the Government of the Netherlands, the Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency (MGCA) and a wider implementation network led by the Enterprising Africa Regional Network (EARN), with support from Seed2Feed Foundation, Holland Green Tech, Ridder, Bosman Van Zaal, Van der Hoeven / Van der Straaten Acampo, Svensson and Control Union.
- Uses repurposed power station land to stimulate new economic activity through climate-smart horticulture, skills development and enterprise support.
- Includes a 0.5-hectare high-tech demonstration greenhouse and training facility.
- Broader Grootvlei initiative intended to unlock a 20-hectare horticulture and agribusiness development area to support future investment, local supplier participation and job creation.
- Focus on practical training, agripreneur development, efficient water use, climate-smart production systems, market access, economic diversification, youth and community development.
AfDB SAJJOF Update
The AfDB South Africa JET Jobs First Project (SAJJOF) supports institutional capacity and inclusion interventions in Mpumalanga, including:
- Mpumalanga Youth Development Fund digitisation
- Provincial skills strategy and master plan
- Household sustainable livelihoods intervention preparation
- Inclusive social business and microfinance programme
- SAJJOF Phase 2 preparation
A Technical Project Manager is in place. Scheduled completion: 31 December 2026. The women farmers' support programme and the ILO/ITCILO training programme have both concluded successfully.
2026 Priorities
- At least four community-owned (Level 5) projects targeted by year-end, structured through trusts or community partnership agreements.
- Five viable, high-impact JET programmes being initiated with stakeholder buy-in.
- New programme being established with the Social Employment Fund (SEF), creating employment pathways supporting both social and environmental outcomes.
- Strengthening MGCA capacity for JET, maintaining online project register and managing MEL under the JET PMU's national MEL system.
Funds Deployment Concentration
The top four projects (each over USD 13 mn / ZAR 230 mn) account for 73% of total committed value, while the remaining 59 projects share the balance. The portfolio focuses on community organisational development (50.0%) and capacity development and training (30.0%), which together account for 80% of committed value (USD 138.7 mn / ZAR 2.46 bn). The only commercial debt/equity project is the Agristar Holdings investment from the United Kingdom (USD 13.6 mn / ZAR 241 mn).
New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) Portfolio
2025 saw operational milestones including completion of Golden Arrow's 120 Electric Vehicle (EV) bus fleet and the launch of Uber's first e-hailing EV service. 2026 focus is on scaling pilots, with the NEV Public Transport Workstream now established to address policy and finance barriers.
Funds Deployed (Q1 2026)
EV Bus Deployment Target
EV Charge Point Target
Funding Flow Target
Status of NEVs Portfolio Projects (JET Investments Register)
| Status | Total USD (mn) | Total ZAR (mn) | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. Planned | 37 | 662.16 | 96.8% |
| B. Approved | 0.4 | 7.36 | 1.1% |
| C. Implementation Phase | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| D. Completed | 0.8 | 14.36 | 2.1% |
| Grand Total | 39 | 683.72 | 100.0% |
Note: The JET Investments Register currently tracks a specific subset of international JET partner financing, while the JET NEV PMO captures a broader universe of commercial investments and funding from additional international partners.
Project Pipeline
- City of Joburg launching EV bus pilot programme with C40 — Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) piloting EV buses and charging infrastructure along Rea Vaya and Metrobus routes.
- City Power installed 14 solar integrated fast chargers; initial ZAR 12 million budget; intends to convert 680 vehicles to plug-in hybrids and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs).
- City Lodge installed 8 charging stations at properties nationwide (partnering with Chargify).
- Toyota South Africa installed 100 chargers at dealerships nationally.
Enabling Environment
- United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) study on airport ground transport decarbonisation (with Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) and the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI)).
- South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) draft Roadside Service Facilities (RSF) policy for public comment, including EV infrastructure (closed end of March; response expected Q3 2026).
- National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRS) technical working group developing draft criteria for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) compliance standard.
- Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) and Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (MERSETA) Electric Mobility Service Assistant qualification — expected launch end-2026; Hybrid and BEV technician qualifications planned for the coming years.
Q1 2026 Stakeholder Engagements & Workstream Launches
Key Q1 2026 Funding Actions
- Flex EV secured ZAR 9 mn (USD 0.51 mn) from EEP Africa and the Catalyst Fund — EV taxi pilot in Cape Town.
- IDC approved ZAR 96 mn (USD 5.42 mn) for Thula Solutions, an e-game drive vehicle manufacturer.
- EU and BMZ committed EUR 27.5 mn to the GIZ technical cooperation programme promoting critical raw minerals and green hydrogen value chains, plus EUR 2 mn for critical minerals skills development — EUR 29.5 mn combined.
- IDC advanced approximately ZAR 29.9 mn in Giyani Metals (battery-grade Manganese), bringing total IDC investment to ZAR 329.9 mn.
Green Hydrogen (GH2) Portfolio
The GH2 Portfolio is led by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) through a dedicated Just Energy Transition (JET) Programme Management Office (PMO). The 2026 milestone is for the portfolio to complete pre-feasibility and feasibility studies for export and domestic projects, with emphasis on moving from planning to bankable investments. As at 31 March 2026, four Power-to-X (PtX) projects have received funding to progress to the next phase — one domestic project and three export-oriented projects reaching pre-feasibility, feasibility or Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) stage.
Total Allocated
Germany JET III Loan
PtX Projects Funded (Q1 actual)
Active Workstreams
Status of Green Hydrogen Portfolio Projects
| Status | Total USD (mn) | Total ZAR (mn) | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. Planned | 262 | 4,645.19 | 56.7% |
| B. Approved | 0 | 0.00 | 0.0% |
| C. Implementation Phase | 180 | 3,191.13 | 38.9% |
| D. Completed | 20 | 356.48 | 4.4% |
| Grand Total | 463 | 8,192.80 | 100.0% |
Institutional Arrangements
- The GH2 Advisory Committee, chaired by the Department of Electricity and Energy (DEE), meets quarterly (last meeting 24 February 2026).
- A GH Policy Specialist is due to be hired before the end of Q2 2026.
- A secondee is due to be posted at the DEE from 1 May 2026 to chair the DEE-led workstreams (Policy and Regulations; Community Engagement).
- Five workstreams (Finance, Shared Infrastructure, Technology Incubation and Workforce Skills, Community Engagement, Policy and Regulations) have held inaugural meetings.
- Discussions underway to consolidate Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC)-chaired workstreams (Supply and Demand) into Policy and Regulations.
Project Pipeline Development
- JET GH2 PMO received coordinated technical and institutional support from Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) for development of the PtX Project Developer Standard (PDS), associated online platform, and weighting and scoring methodology.
- JET GH2 PMO received funding from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to convene an international weighting and scoring clinic in Johannesburg (17 April 2026).
- Several projects submitted to the PtX PDS featured in the DEE's 2026 Energy Infrastructure Investment Prospectus, launched at the 2026 SA Investment Summit.
- Project Developers Forum initiated (sponsored by the German-Southern African Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AHK)), held first meeting 17 February 2026.
Q1 2026 Pipeline Status (actual progress to 31 March 2026)
One Power-to-X (PtX) project for domestic consumption and three PtX projects for export have received funding to progress to the next phase, reaching pre-feasibility, feasibility, or FEED stage by 31 March 2026. One of these four projects has been granted Strategic Infrastructure Project (SIP) status by Infrastructure South Africa. Agence Française de Développement (AFD) has committed a EUR 7 mn grant to support Transnet towards green hydrogen projects in 2026. This represents the Q1 actual position; the broader 2026 milestone is to complete pre-feasibility and feasibility studies across the portfolio's export and domestic projects.
Bottlenecks & outlook
While grant funding targets were exceeded, the loan target was not met. The South Africa Hydrogen (SAH2) Fund remains in development — a key area to advance in 2026. Coordination structures are being operationalised to align the diverse range of stakeholders (government, developers, international partners) on priorities and implementation pathways. Engagement with funders through the JET Funding Platform is being strengthened to match developed projects with appropriate financing mechanisms.
JET Skills Portfolio
Total Allocated
European Union (EU) Allocation
International Partners
Status of JET Skills Projects (International Partner Grants)
| Status | USD (mn) | ZAR (mn) | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. Planned | 51.03 | 903.23 | 34.4% |
| B. Approved | 14.55 | 257.54 | 9.8% |
| C. Implementation Phase | 69.68 | 1,233.34 | 47.0% |
| D. Completed | 12.88 | 228.00 | 8.7% |
| Grand Total | 148.15 | 2,622.11 | 100.0% |
Institutional Arrangements
The Presidency and Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) defines the systems and institutional arrangements driving the Just Energy Transition (JET) Skills Portfolio. DHET has established the JET Skills Desk (Secretariat) in the Office of the Director General. The Human Resources Development Council (HRDC) convenes the multi-stakeholder National JET Skills Advisory Forum.
11 Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) are engaged, with the JET Skills Desk Technical Implementation Plan presented to them.
The New Energy Vehicles (NEV) Workforce and Skills workstream and the Green Hydrogen Technology Incubation and Workforce Skills workstream are established. The European Union (EU), Germany and Switzerland support implementation of the Skills Portfolio.
2026 Priorities
- First Skills Development Zone (SDZ) pilot launch in Q4 2026 — Mpumalanga; anchor institution being identified.
- Contribute to national targets that link skills provisioning and employment.
- Build and support a credible pipeline of investable JET Skills projects and programmes.
- Support and strengthen partnerships between government, industry, development finance partners, and implementing partners.
- Support resource mobilisation towards the scaling of sustainable skilling for employment interventions.
- Identify best practices and scalable models, pilots and pathways that promote skilling for employment.
Currently 53 grants for JET skills are registered (up from 45 in the previous quarter), totalling USD 148.15 mn (ZAR 2.62 bn). Average grant size: ~USD 2.8 mn (ZAR 49.5 mn). Approximately 77% of these projects are focused on capacity development, studies and research.
JET Governance
JET implementation is governed at three levels: the JET Inter-Ministerial Committee (political leadership), the JET Government Steering Committee (implementation oversight) and the JET Project Management Unit (coordination and enabling).
JET IMC Members
Next IMC Meeting
Steering Committee
Last GSC Meeting
JET Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC)
The JET IMC comprises ten Cabinet Ministers, with the Minister of Electricity and Energy as Chairperson:
- Minister of Electricity and Energy (Chair)
- Minister of Finance
- Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment
- Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources
- Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
- Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
- Minister of Higher Education and Training
- Minister of Science and Innovation
- Minister of Transport
- Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
- Premier of Mpumalanga Province (attendee)
JET Government Steering Committee
Chaired by the Presidency, comprising senior representatives from 12 national departments, the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), Eskom, Mpumalanga Province and the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC). The committee enables implementation oversight and communication across 19 institutions involved in JET IP initiatives. Met during this reporting period on 27 February 2026.
JET PMU Responsibilities
Located in the Presidency, the JET PMU plays a coordinating and enabling role across lead institutions responsible for the six JET portfolios.
- Mobilising, matching and coordinating JET-targeted financing.
- Co-designing JET financing mechanisms and instruments with stakeholders.
- Supporting socialisation and uptake of financing mechanisms.
- Managing the JET Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) framework.
- Managing the official JET information portal (justenergytransition.co.za).
- Managing the JET Funding Platform.
- Managing the online JET Investments Register.
Q1 2026 governance update
The JET PMU is in discussion with the PCC to incorporate JET IP indicators into Annual Performance Plan (APP) guidance with the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME). A JET guidance note is being finalised with National Treasury and DPME for JET integration into APP / Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) processes. Provincial Leadership of the three federations (South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU), Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) and Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU)) have been invited to the Mpumalanga Just Transition Coordination Committee (JTCC). Representatives of COSATU and the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers' Union (SACTWU) have been engaged on the Window 3 — Third Call for Expressions of Interest application process.
JET Funding Platform
The Just Energy Transition (JET) Funding Platform (FP) is a match-making service offered by the JET Project Management Unit (PMU) to bring together providers of JET grant funding (international funders, private sector Corporate Social Investment (CSI), philanthropies) with intended JET constituents (Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), community-based organisations, trade unions, government institutions).
Applications Received
Ready for Matching
Projects Matched
Provisionally Approved
Project Flow Through the Funding Platform
Window 3 — Third Call for Expressions of Interest
The third window opened on 24 February 2026 and is scheduled to close on 8 April 2026, focused on Jobs (formal economy) and Livelihoods (informal economy), with emphasis on youth and women. A further two windows are in development for 2026. Following analysis of the first two windows, which revealed challenges with funder-project alignment and due diligence, a strategic shift towards more curated, theme-specific application windows is underway.
Q1 2026 Capacity Building
- Critical capacity gaps filled with appointment of Funding Platform Manager, Project Analyst and Junior Analyst.
- Resources secured to develop and implement the Funding Platform Advocacy and Communication strategy.
- Stakeholder database actively grown; networks deepened; social media channels established.
- Project Preparation funding secured until end-2027.
- Two project preparation support partners onboarded in Q1 2026.
- 49 projects identified through 2025 calls (Windows 1 and 2) under review for dedicated project preparation support.
- 10 webinars/engagements being rolled out throughout 2026 (e.g. Q1 webinar: Unlocking Finance for Skills and Livelihoods, March 2026).
2026 Priorities
- Develop the Funder Portal — seed funding secured; development scheduled to commence Q3.
- Establish a Pooled Fund — hosting model due diligence underway.
- Onboard 50 grant-ready, credible, high-impact projects onto the JET Funding Platform Register.
- Improve matched-funded conversion rate by 25% via streamlined funder engagement model.
- Generate community-led and community-owned project pipeline, especially in Mpumalanga.
- Consolidate and publish disaggregated beneficiary data to demonstrate reach and impact.
Short- and Medium-Term Outcome Milestones
Progress against short-term outcomes (changes in capacity and systems, 1–3 years) and medium-term outcomes (changes in behaviour and performance, 3–5 years) as at 31 March 2026.
Short-Term Outcomes (STOs)
STO1 · Coherent finance flows for each portfolio
ProgressingSTO2 · Coordination structures and secretariats operational
On TrackSTO3 · Just Transition interventions in Mpumalanga
ProgressingSTO4 · JET Funding Platform scaling operations
On TrackSTO5 · Problem-solving to overcome bottlenecks
ProgressingSTO6 · Sufficient compliant projects and programmes being implemented
ProgressingSTO7 · MEL system informing decision-making
On TrackMedium-Term Outcomes (MTOs)
MTO1 · Finance for JET IP mobilised, deployed and spent efficiently
Progressing- Pledged grant funding: USD 989 mn / ZAR 17.51 bn — target of ZAR 16.5 bn exceeded by ~6%.
- Grant funds spent on completed projects: USD 90.4 mn / ZAR 1.60 bn across 86 completed projects (10.3% of ZAR 15.5 bn target).
- Concessional loans deployed: USD 1,156 mn / ZAR 20.46 bn — 66.9% of ZAR 30.6 bn milestone.
- Total funds pledged: USD 14,364 mn / ZAR 254.24 bn — 97.8% of ZAR 260 bn milestone.
- Mechanisms for tracking public sector budgets, DFI commercial equity/debt and commercial finance: recruitment of Investments Register Specialist underway; service provider due in Q2.
- Forecast for December 2026 not yet available; dedicated forecasting model expected by end of 2026.
MTO2 · Widespread endorsement and support across stakeholders
On Track- JET IMC of ten Cabinet Ministers continues to provide political leadership.
- JET PMU in discussion with the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) to incorporate JET IP indicators into Annual Performance Plan (APP) guidance with the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME).
- JET guidance note for APP / Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) integration being finalised with National Treasury and DPME.
- Provincial Leadership of the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU), Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) and Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) invited to the Mpumalanga JTCC.
- Representatives of COSATU and the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers' Union (SACTWU) engaged on the Window 3 application process.
- International partner pledges: USD 13,159 mn / ZAR 232.91 bn — 89.6% of ZAR 260 bn milestone.
MTO3 · Government and non-government able to deliver Just Transition
Progressing- Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) job descriptions drafted and proposals submitted to fund posts.
- Target: at least three Portfolio lead institutions to have JET MEL focal points by year-end.
- South African Local Government Association (SALGA) Theory of Change drafted for submission to Municipal Council.
- Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency (MGCA) draft MEL frameworks being completed for submission to JTCC.
- JET guidance note to integrate JET priorities into government planning and budget systems being developed.
MTO4 · Enhanced skills system working effectively
Progressing- JET Skills Desk has presented JET Skills Desk Technical Implementation Plan (2025–2030) to 11 Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).
- Joint action framework being drafted between JET Skills Desk and priority JET-related mandates (shared targets, labour demand projections, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)).
- Work underway in Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape and Northern Cape to map regional skills plans and baselines.
- First Skills Development Zone (SDZ) pilot scheduled to launch Q4 2026 in Mpumalanga.
- Disaggregated jobs tracking methodology supported by expert bodies in development.
JET IP Pilot Core Indicators
The Just Energy Transition Implementation Plan (JET IP) Core Indicators remain presented as pilot reporting for Q1 2026 while the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) system continues to mature. These indicators provide programme-level implementation signals and are a standardised set of quantitative and qualitative metrics within the JET IP MEL framework, designed to provide consistent, comparable data across diverse portfolios of projects. They are a proxy for expected outcomes across the JET IP. Individual projects also have their own MEL Frameworks with project-specific indicators. Note: Section 8 of the Q1 2026 source report is headed “Core Indicators”; the pilot framing is retained at the dashboard level for this quarter.
Important interpretation note — how to read the pilot Core Indicator counts
The pilot Core Indicators should not be read as requiring every registered project to report against every indicator. Indicator applicability differs by portfolio, project type, funding instrument, implementation stage and reporting obligation. Reporting counts such as 7 of 24 therefore indicate the number of projects for which a particular indicator was applicable and reportable in this pilot cycle — not a universal compliance rate across all JET projects. As the MEL system matures, indicator metadata, applicability rules, data availability and quality-assurance processes will continue to be refined.
Reporting base for Q1 2026: The Core Indicator reporting base has expanded from the original Q3 2025 pilot of 16 projects from one International Partners Group (IPG) partner to incorporate submissions from an additional Sovereign Bilateral Partner. The current reporting base consists of 24 projects from 2 contributing partners, representing approximately 9.3% of the 257 projects in the JET Investments Register. The sample remains limited and non-representative of the full register; results should be understood as an emerging reporting base that is expanding as additional partners adopt the Core Indicator framework.
Institutional Strengthening · 21 of 24 projects (88%)
Reporting period: 2022–2028
Planned results: Strengthened capacity and systems across government entities; improved municipal long-term financial planning, climate resilience planning, embedded generation, energy planning, eco-industrial parks management, and macro-level investment-climate, electricity transmission, and energy regulatory reform capacity.
Actual / reported results to date (cumulative):
- Original pilot: 5 Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) (3 woman-owned) accredited as Energy Performance Certificate Inspection Bodies; National JET MEL Framework under development; participatory justice framework piloted.
- New municipal submissions: All four projects report positive institutional change at meso level; 53% of supported municipalities have updated long-term financial strategies.
- Climate-resilient asset management strengthened across 8 metros; Just Urban Transition framework institutionalised.
- Eco-industrial parks programme: positive change across 7 industrial parks in 6 provinces; cumulative outputs since January 2020 include 301 actors gaining awareness, 2,200 gaining skills, 62 capacity-building activities, 33 investment-ready proposals, 14 projects financed.
- Macro-level investment-climate: adoption of Electricity Transmission Infrastructure Regulations; draft Request for Proposals (RFP) published; 25 projects licensed; Critical Raw Minerals (CRM) platform implemented.
Community Involvement · 7 of 24 projects (29%)
Reporting period: June 2023–December 2026
Planned results: Engagement of civil society, labour and community representatives in project design and implementation.
Actual / reported results to date:
- Original pilot: 83% of reporting projects achieved Level 3 engagement (community involved from design stage).
- 88 municipal officials trained in gender-responsive e-mobility planning.
- One new project reports Level 3 community engagement; remaining new submissions explicitly report that community involvement is not a design feature.
Jobs Creation · 4 of 24 projects (17%)
Reporting period: June 2023–December 2026
Planned results: 1,400–1,500 construction jobs; 210–220 operational jobs (incl. SMME-facilitated employment estimates).
Actual / reported results to date:
- 640–650 permanent operational jobs created.
- 27–30% women's participation in infrastructure roles.
- 40–43% women's participation in SMME-focused interventions.
- New submissions did not provide new quantitative jobs data.
Livelihoods · 5 of 24 projects (21%)
Reporting period: June 2023–December 2026
Planned results: Human and built capital improvements for households and communities; 53,000+ anticipated beneficiaries from renewable energy access (primarily commercial and industrial customers).
Actual / reported results to date:
- 80+ farmers trained in coal diversification and climate-smart agriculture.
- Capacity-building for Mpumalanga stakeholders on Just Transition concepts.
- New submissions did not provide new quantitative livelihoods data.
Emissions Reductions · 3 of 24 projects (13%)
Reporting period: January 2020–2028
Planned results: 1.4–1.5 million tonnes CO₂e per annum from renewable energy infrastructure (620+ MW solar and wind projects); 3,000 tonnes CO₂e per year targeted from an eco-industrial parks programme by 2028.
Actual / reported results to date:
- Original pilot: no actual emissions reductions reported to date for pilot renewable energy projects.
- Eco-industrial parks programme: 13,829 tonnes CO₂eq/yr cumulative ex-post implemented Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission savings since Phase I (January 2020), of which 11,416 tonnes CO₂eq/yr were implemented during Phase II (from January 2024) across seven industrial parks (Scope 1 and Scope 2 only).
- Self-reported by implementing partner; not previously listed on national climate change response database.
Important caveats
- Coverage across the five indicators remains uneven. Institutional Strengthening is reported by ~88% of reporting projects; Emissions Reductions only ~13%.
- Quantitative data for Jobs Creation and Livelihoods have not expanded beyond the original pilot.
- Results are largely self-reported and based on ordinal assessments rather than independently measured outcomes.
- In some cases, results reflect investment-readiness, knowledge-product, or regulatory-reform outputs rather than verified institutional change.
- The new submissions are concentrated in Municipalities, industrial and energy planning, and macro-level investment-climate and transmission-sector reform; the broader portfolio mix is not yet reflected.
- At ~9.3% coverage, Core Indicator results should be treated as emerging and indicative rather than definitive measures of JET IP performance.
An important step forward this quarter was the initial technical engagement between the JET Project Management Unit (PMU) and Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) to begin aligning the programme's indicators with the national Integrated Indicator Framework (IIF). The IIF serves as South Africa's harmonised indicator architecture, incorporating measures from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Agenda 2063, the National Development Plan and other key frameworks.
JET Indicator Alignment with the Integrated Indicator Framework (IIF)
The mapping exercise reviewed the 62 JET indicators adopted by G20 leaders in November 2024 against the IIF. 54 indicators have a possible IIF match, covering themes such as emissions reductions, renewable energy generation and economic diversification. 8 indicators require further review. Approximately 35% may currently have potentially reportable data, although this is indicative and may decline once disaggregation requirements and metadata are tested more rigorously.
Impact Goals (JET Theory of Change)
I01
I02
I03
I04
I05
Quality Assurance Pathway
All data sources are being assessed using the South African Statistical Quality Assessment Framework (SASQAF) before being used for public reporting. Where external data producers are identified, the JET PMU facilitates introductions with Stats SA so that quality assurance can be conducted, mitigating reputational risk and ensuring consistency over time.
Data availability and disaggregation challenges
Many JET indicators require a level of disaggregation (provincial, municipal, sector-specific) that may not be readily available in existing official datasets. For example, while an indicator for unemployment can be matched, its utility for the JET programme depends on the ability to disaggregate it to the provincial level for Mpumalanga.
Areas with the strongest initial data availability include low-carbon transition and GHG emissions indicators, while areas such as new renewable energy infrastructure, JT interventions, and social and environmental co-benefits have more limited data coverage at present.
Data Maturity Panel
Next steps to 30 June 2026
- Negotiate and refine provisional indicator matches by providing full JET indicator metadata — including concepts, definitions and methods of computation — to Statistics South Africa for review.
- Verify practical availability of required disaggregation (provincial, sectoral, municipal) for priority indicators.
- Agree a first subset of indicators that can be reported with confidence by the end of the next quarter.
- Continue quarterly coordination meetings between the JET PMU and Statistics South Africa, with the next session planned for around 30 May 2026.
Reporting approach: Given that the alignment process is at an early technical stage, this report does not yet include quantified Impact Indicator values. Instead, it introduces the partnership and the foundational work underway. This iterative process will allow for a gradual increase in the number of reported indicators, ensuring that each is underpinned by a solid methodological and data foundation.
