Localising the just energy transition (JET) through municipalities

South Africa’s electricity sector is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in its history. As new technologies, market participants, and energy models emerge, municipalities must navigate a complex, rapidly evolving landscape.

This framework has been developed to help municipalities understand their role in the transition and to provide practical guidance on embedding the JET in their day-to-day work. This requires that municipalities understand their role in relation to the national context for the JET; identify their state of readiness; integrate the JET in their planning, policy and implementation processes; and play a strong convening and brokering role in building the types of partnerships required to deliver on the aspirations of local JETs. At its core, this guide recognises that the JET is not solely about energy infrastructure or technology choices, but about people, livelihoods, service delivery, and local development outcomes. The challenge it seeks to address is how to steer this rapidly unfolding transition toward local justice.