Kruger National Park Secures 25% Green Energy Supply

 

Kruger National Park is advancing its sustainability goals through a renewable energy partnership that covers the equivalent of more than 25% of its annual electricity consumption

Kruger National Park Secures 25% Green Energy Supply

SKUKUZA, 9 October 2026 — South Africa's Kruger National Park has taken a significant step towards cleaner electricity after SANParks announced a renewable energy partnership with Ampli Energy, a collaboration between Discovery Green and Sasol.

The agreement, announced on 8 October, provides renewable electricity equivalent to more than 25% of the park's annual electricity consumption.

The initiative forms part of efforts to reduce the environmental impact of one of Africa's best-known conservation destinations.

A Major Step Towards Cleaner Energy

Kruger National Park is the largest electricity consumer within the South African National Parks system.

According to the partnership announcement, the park accounts for approximately 70% of SANParks' Scope 2 emissions, which are indirect emissions associated with purchased electricity.

Reducing the carbon footprint of electricity consumption is therefore an important part of SANParks' broader sustainability strategy.

The new arrangement is intended to help the organisation make progress without diverting valuable conservation land towards large-scale power generation.

How the Renewable Energy Partnership Works

Ampli Energy is a renewable electricity product developed by Discovery Green in partnership with Sasol.

Rather than constructing large solar or wind farms inside the national park, the arrangement uses renewable electricity generated elsewhere and supplied through South Africa's electricity grid.

This approach allows SANParks to benefit from renewable energy procurement without having to finance and operate major generation facilities within the protected area.

The partners say the renewable energy supply has already been matching more than a quarter of the park's electricity consumption over recent months.

Protecting Wildlife and Conservation Land

One of the advantages of the arrangement is that it avoids the need to allocate extensive areas of protected land to electricity generation infrastructure.

Kruger National Park is internationally recognised for its wildlife, biodiversity and conservation programmes.

Preserving natural habitats while reducing emissions is an important consideration for conservation authorities.

The project demonstrates how energy procurement can be used to support environmental objectives without requiring major changes to land use inside the park.

More Than 1.8 Million Visitors in 2025

Kruger National Park welcomed more than 1.8 million guests in 2025, according to the partnership announcement.

Electricity supports visitor accommodation, administrative facilities and other park operations.

SANParks CEO Hapiloe Sello has identified sustainable electricity procurement as part of the organisation's wider efforts to modernise infrastructure and improve long-term resilience.

However, the renewable energy agreement should not be interpreted as a guarantee against electricity interruptions, because the park remains connected to the national grid.

Could Renewable Energy Expand Further?

In June 2026, SANParks announced the completion of a renewable energy feasibility study examining a potential pathway for Kruger National Park to source up to 80% of its electricity from renewable sources.

That study represented an assessment of possible future options rather than confirmation that the full 80% target had already been achieved.

The latest Ampli Energy partnership provides a practical step towards the park's wider decarbonisation ambitions.

Further progress will depend on procurement decisions, implementation arrangements and future energy requirements.

A Model for Other Conservation Areas?

The initiative could offer lessons for other South African conservation institutions seeking to reduce electricity-related emissions.

Its significance lies in combining private-sector energy services with the environmental responsibilities of a public conservation organisation.

As South Africa's electricity market evolves, similar arrangements may become relevant to tourism businesses and other organisations that cannot easily construct their own renewable energy facilities.

Looking Ahead

The renewable energy partnership marks an important development during Kruger National Park's centenary year.

By securing renewable electricity equivalent to more than a quarter of its annual consumption, SANParks is advancing its efforts to reduce emissions while protecting the land entrusted to its care.

SA360 NEWS will continue following renewable energy, conservation and tourism developments across South Africa.

Sources: SANParks partnership announcement distributed by Sasol and Discovery, 8 October 2026; SANParks renewable energy feasibility study, 4 June 2026; Mail & Guardian, 9 October 2026.