We are pleased to announce that today the South Africa-UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) programme has launched a new funding opportunity for a just energy transition in South Africa.
South Africa-UK PACT is inviting eligible organisations to submit proposals for innovative, capacity-building projects that support South Africa’s just energy transition. Grants of up to £500,000 per year, per project, are available. Projects under this Call for Proposals are scheduled to start in January 2024. The deadline for applications is 15 September 2023, 17:00 (SAST)/ 15.00 (UTC).
South Africa is the 14th largest greenhouse gas emitter globally. The Just Energy Transition Partnership aims to accelerate the decarbonisation of South Africa’s economy to help it achieve the ambitious goals set out in South Africa’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution emissions goals. South Africa’s commitment to a just transition echoes key Government policies and plans such as the 2019 Integrated Resource Plan (with an update anticipated to be published in due course) and seeks to support the vision set out in the National Development Plan 2030.
Projects selected through this South Africa-UK PACT funding round will support the Government of South Africa’s commitment to reducing its carbon emissions in accordance with the highest end of its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
What will we be funding?
Consultations were held with various ministries within the government of South Africa to identify significant priorities which enable a just transition, where UK-PACT funding and technical assistance interventions can be most catalytic in driving transformational change.
Based on these consultations, the following thematic areas have been identified for funding within this call for proposals:
- Municipal energy generation: technical assistance to enable and promote renewable energy generation and energy sector and electricity pricing reform at local government level, building on existing work.
- Green hydrogen: technical assistance to support green hydrogen initiatives and the implementation of South Africa’s published ‘Green Hydrogen Commercialisation Strategy’.
- Green finance: technical assistance to increase the alignment and interoperability of the existing South African green finance taxonomy with global taxonomies.
- University climate action plans: technical assistance to support climate mitigation efforts by universities across the country.
Within each of these thematic areas, specific 'projects' have been identified as the targeted interventions for the receipt of funding. Each of these projects has a number of specific expected outputs and interventions. South Africa-UK PACT welcomes creativity, expansion and additional suggestions from the market that cover the stated interventions as a minimum. Bidders may submit proposals for multiple thematic areas and projects.
Who can apply?
Applications are open to applicants registered as not-for-profit organisations including academic institutions, NGOs, professional associations or similar organisations that have the knowledge, skills and experience to deliver technical assistance projects in the priority sector outlined. For-profit organisations can participate as consortium partners to the lead implementing partner submitting a proposal.
Welcoming the launch, British High Commissioner, Antony Phillipson said:“I am delighted to announce the latest round of the Call for Proposals under the South Africa-UK PACT programme. The UK, as a member of the International Partnership Group of the Just Energy Transition Partnership, is supporting South Africa to achieve the highest ambition in its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). This latest launch of the South Africa–UK PACT Call for Proposals marks the second phase of grant funded technical assistance to support South Africa’s climate change mitigation ambitions. To date, the UK, through the South Africa-UK PACT programme, has supported South Africa at the national, provincial and municipal levels with grant funded technical assistance in areas covering energy, sustainable finance and sustainable transport. It is my pleasure to confirm that this latest round represents new grant funded technical assistance to help South African government stakeholders deliver a just and inclusive energy transition.” |
Projects will be selected through a one-stage open and competitive process.
