About Us
RAiSE (Renewables Ambition in South African Electricity) was initiated in 2021 by the National Business Initiative, RE100 (led by the Climate Group) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). It is a platform that aims to support companies committed to the procurement and generation of renewable electricity in South Africa.
With businesses in South Africa being the largest consumers of electricity, they hold a pivotal role in effecting the widespread systemic change necessary to achieve a carbon-neutral future. A number of South African companies have set targets to transition to 100% renewable electricity usage ahead of plans to decarbonise the national grid. A recent study by the NBI, Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) concluded that South Africa would need to build 6-12 GW of renewable energy annually to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.”
To achieve these targets businesses can procure renewable electricity from national or municipal grids, directly invest in onsite generation, purchase from neighbouring generation sites, and/or develop Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with producers and suppliers of renewable energy. NBI and RE100 calls upon leading South African businesses to unite with us in accelerating corporate renewable power supply and procurement.
The Need for Businesses to Transition
Commercial and industrial activities are contributing to raising temperatures that exceed the planetary boundaries, culminating in detrimental impacts on the economy, society, and environment.
South Africa’s energy sector is extremely carbon-intensive and the highest emitter of emissions.
The South African government has developed numerous plans and policies to achieve the commitments within the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals.
- A changing climate and consequent Global and National commitments to reducing emissions have placed pressures on the corporates to improve sustainability performance
- Businesses in South Africa are the largest consumers of electricity and therefore play a key role in unlocking the widespread systemic change
Renewable electricity (RE) is a gamechanger from an economic, environmental and social standpoint
RE offers cost-effective solutions to the current energy supply challenge
>50 South African companies and multi-national companies operating in South Africa have set the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050Objectives
RAiSE and RE100 brings together stakeholders across the electricity value chain to deliver three priority objectives:
OBJECTIVE 1
Raise awareness and build ambition around corporate procurement and generation of renewable electricity in South Africa.
OBJECTIVE 2
Develop capacity of corporate buyers and enable them to procure and generate renewable electricity.
OBJECTIVE 3
Inform and facilitate policy change that enables a favorable market that allows companies to procure or generate renewable electricity at a fair price.
Resources Reports & Insights
What is a corporate renewable Power Purchase Agreement?
Corporate Renewable Power Purchase Agreements: Scaling up globally
Innovation in Power Purchase Agreement Structures
How multi-technology PPAs could help companies reduce risk
Pricing structures for corporate renewable PPAs
What’s next for companies procuring renewable power?
Renewable electricity procurement: blazing a trail from innovation to leadership
RE100’s ‘Ambition on renewables in the G20’ report
RE100’s ‘Financing the Energy Transition: How Governments Can Maximise Corporate Investment’
Media and Videos
Recording of TLS session on Innovation and Implementation that is Shifting Electricity Markets
Core Delivery Partners
Funders
How to get involved
Join us! To engage in RAiSE and its upcoming activities, please reach out to:
Bhavna Deonarain Programme Manager: Climate, Energy and Water
