JSE- and LSE-listed financial services firm Investec has been awarded an energy trading licence by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa).

The banking and investment services firm will focus on delivering tailored, client-centric solutions that address rising tariffs and sustainability goals, while improving financial performance and operational resilience.

It will also focus on providing bespoke services to independent power producers (IPPs) and attracting and onboarding renewable-energy providers by offering a one-stop shop for funding, hedging and offtake, Investec says.

Additionally, the bank will buy solar power from the Ilikwa Solar PV Facility in the Free State. Investec’s first power procurement project is currently under construction and is expected to come online in the second quarter of 2026.

The licence enables Investec to broaden its energy solution portfolio, providing energy users with flexible, capital-free access to clean and renewable power. Simultaneously, the licence positions the company as a credible partner for IPPs to facilitate funding, offtake and wheeling through partnerships, it says.

Recent regulatory changes have opened South Africa’s energy sector to new entrants and innovations, with energy trading increasingly recognised as a critical enabler of the transition to clean, reliable and sustainable power.

By combining advanced technology, market access and renewable-energy partnerships, Investec is uniquely positioned to deliver measurable impact for clients while contributing to national energy security and decarbonisation, it notes.

“This licence is about enabling strategic advantage, resilience and long-term value. The licence is about unlocking competitive advantage for our clients.

“As South Africa navigates rising energy costs and ongoing supply challenges, we are focused on providing innovative, cost-effective solutions that future-proof businesses and accelerate the shift to renewable energy,” says Investec head of renewable energy trading Mpho Modise.