Kruger National Park Renewable Energy Feasibility Study Completed with 80% Target Achieved
SANParks and Verdure have formally concluded Phase 1 of the Kruger National Park Renewable Energy Feasibility Study, with the report handed over on 3 June 2026 by German Ambassador to South Africa Andreas Peschke to SANParks CEO Hapiloe Sello. The study, conducted by Malachite Advisory through Verdure's Technical Assistance Facility backed by German development bank KfW, assessed energy demand, supply resilience, and long-term electricity planning for the park. It achieved SANParks' target of identifying a pathway for up to 80 per cent renewable energy penetration, outlining practical and cost-effective solutions for transitioning the park's electricity supply away from conventional sources. Sello described the completion of the assessment as "an important milestone in SANParks' renewable energy transition journey," noting that securing a sustainable energy future for Kruger is essential to safeguarding its "ecological integrity, visitor experience and long-term financial resilience."
Ambassador Peschke described the study as "a tangible example of the partnership between Germany and South Africa on climate, energy and conservation," with KfW confirming approval of additional support for a potential Phase 2 procurement process, should SANParks elect to proceed. The findings will inform SANParks' internal planning and decision-making as the organisation moves toward procurement, with the intention of extending the lessons learned to other national parks across South Africa. As the country's premier tourism destination and a globally significant natural heritage site, Kruger's transition to predominantly renewable energy carries implications not only for conservation outcomes but for the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of South Africa's protected area tourism offering.
Source: South African National Parks
