South Africa remains one of the world’s most coal-dependent countries, with more than 80% of its installed electricity capacity still coming from coal in 2025, while low-carbon sources accounted for only 17% of electricity generation in 2024. Across many communities, households continue to face soaring electricity costs, persistent blackouts, and failing municipal grids, with some areas going weeks without reliable power. For many people, renewable energy is no longer viewed primarily as a climate solution but as a practical survival strategy that offers lower energy costs, greater reliability, and independence from collapsing electricity infrastructure.