Investec has applied for a licence to trade electricity in South Africa. The company aims to power its Johannesburg headquarters using solar energy from the Illikwa Solar PV Facility in the Free State. If approved by the National Energy Regulator (Nersa), Investec will purchase electricity from this solar plant and supply it to its offices via Eskom’s grid. This move aligns with the growing trend of businesses adopting renewable energy solutions, particularly as several large-scale projects are set to launch in 2026.
The Illikwa Solar PV Facility, a 50MW project developed by Mainstream Renewable Power, is already under construction and expected to begin operations in early 2026. Investec holds a 30% stake in the project and has provided financial backing for its development. The bank’s application clarifies that it will initially trade electricity only through Eskom’s network but may expand to municipal grids in the future. This initiative reflects Investec’s commitment to sustainability and reducing reliance on traditional energy sources.
Nersa has recently approved several electricity trading licences for private companies, despite opposition from Eskom. Discovery Green, another financial services firm, secured a licence last year and has already procured 1.3GW of renewable energy. Eskom has challenged these approvals, arguing that private traders should not operate in areas where it holds distribution rights. Meanwhile, other major renewable projects, such as Seriti Green’s R4.8bn wind farm in Mpumalanga, highlight South Africa’s accelerating shift towards cleaner energy. Investec’s application signals another step in this transition, as businesses increasingly take control of their power supply.