South Africans are leaving the electricity network – but are solar mini-grids a fair solution?

In South Africa, many low-income families who’ve never had electricity can’t afford solar power. Solar mini-grids could help.

By: Joanna Watterson, University of Cambridge, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: February 10, 2026

Words: 1,281

Last Updated: 1 month ago

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By Joanna Watterson, University of Cambridge

South Africa’s electricity system is changing. After years of blackouts until 2024, the state-owned energy company Eskom is being unbundled into smaller companies, and the sector is increasingly open to private investment.

Households, businesses and municipalities are finding ways to rely less on the national grid and switch to renewable energy – a process known as off-gridding.

Meanwhile, South Africa has raised US$13.7 billion to move away …

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