The South African National Energy Development Institute (Sanedi) says it achieved an “outstanding performance” for the 2024/25 financial year, achieving 100% of its performance targets and securing a fourth consecutive clean audit opinion from the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA).

Sanedi says this exceptional outcome reflects its deep commitment to excellence, integrity and impact in advancing South Africa’s energy sector, adding that it also highlights the strength of its governance structures, the strategic oversight of its board and the visionary leadership of its management team.

“This is more than a performance milestone – it is a statement of integrity, discipline, and shared purpose,” says board chairperson Sicelo Xulu.

“On behalf of the Sanedi board, I extend heartfelt appreciation to our CEO, Dr Titus Mathe, the executive committee and every Sanedi employee. Your professionalism, accountability and hard work continue to strengthen South Africa’s energy future.”

Beyond governance excellence, Sanedi notes that it achieved several high-impact outcomes that demonstrate real value for the country’s economy, energy system and communities.

These include its pivotal role in resolving the multibillion-rand billing dispute between State-owned Eskom and City Power by facilitating the development of an independent, evidence-based technical assessment model, which is now considered a blueprint for broader use across municipalities to improve revenue transparency and sustainability.

Sanedi also launched a ‘state-of-the-art’ digitalisation laboratory at its head office to support advanced energy modelling and scenario planning, providing a collaborative platform for national and municipal stakeholders to align and track development and implementation of key master plans.

This includes the Integrated Resource Plan, Integrated Energy Plan, Gas Utilisation Plan, Liquid Fuels Plan, South African Renewable Energy Masterplan, Smart Meters Roll-out Plan, and the National Climate Change Response Strategy (NCCRS).

Additionally, in the 2024/25 financial year, Sanedi says it reached new milestones under the Section 12L Energy Efficiency Tax Incentive, having facilitated, cumulatively, since the inception of the programme, the implementation of 382 projects.

It notes that these projects have delivered total energy savings of about 34.47 TWh, generated R29.23-billion in realised tax incentives and avoided 32.9-million tonnes of CO2-equivalent a year of greenhouse-gas emissions, marking a significant contribution to South Africa’s energy efficiency and climate objectives.

Further, an estimated 7 640 indirect jobs have been created cumulatively since inception, underscoring the sustained economic and social benefits of Sanedi’s work.

At the community level, Sanedi says it supported the installation of a 40-seater digital media lab at Naledi Primary School in the North West province.

This offgrid solar-powered facility, built from repurposed shipping containers, promotes digital inclusion, educational access and renewable-energy adoption in underserved communities.

Reflecting on these performance milestones, Xulu emphasises their importance for South Africa’s energy sector.

“These results show that Sanedi is not only meeting its targets but delivering tangible impact through innovation, research excellence, and partnerships that advance energy efficiency, digitalisation, and community development,” he says.

He acknowledges the valuable funding, support and oversight of the Ministry of Electricity and Energy, as well as the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, and other strategic partners.

Looking ahead, Mathe stresses that Sanedi’s achievements are not an endpoint but a responsibility to build upon.

“This milestone sets a benchmark that we must safeguard and strengthen.

“Good governance and performance excellence are the foundations upon which we will continue to shape a resilient, reliable, inclusive, affordable and sustainable energy future for South Africa. The road ahead demands that we stay true to our values, deepen our partnerships and remain accountable to the citizens we serve.”