Mpumalanga Jobs and Energy Transition (MJET) Project

pipeline

The project comprises two complementary components designed to address the socio-economic impacts of coal-fired power plant (CFPP) closures while promoting the long-term economic benefits of the energy transition in the four local municipalities of eMalahleni, Steve Tshwete, Dipaleseng, and Msukaligwa, that host the power stations scheduled for decommissioning under the MPA.Component 1: Socio-Economic Infrastructure and Employability Support focuses on sustaining livelihoods and strengthening community resilience through short-term employment, improved access to small-scale socio-economic infrastructure, and support for micro-enterprises and cooperatives. It includes workforce readiness and labor transition services—such as profiling, job matching, and career counseling—as well as financing for labor-intensive local infrastructure projects, grants, training, and business development services. Primary beneficiaries include at-risk communities and populations most affected by CFPP closures, alongside marginalized groups such as women, youth, and micro-enterprises and cooperatives in the target municipalities.Component 2: Sustainable Energy Market Development is forward-looking, aiming to harness the emerging renewable energy economy to generate sustainable employment and strengthen local markets and value chains. It seeks to scale up investment in renewable energy (RE), energy efficiency (EE), and distributed energy resources (DER) through three subcomponents. Subcomponent 2.1: Supporting Municipal Sustainable Energy Programs seeks to enhance public infrastructure and household energy access; Subcomponent 2.2: Fostering Private-Sector Participation for Sustainable Energy aims to foster private sector participation by mobilizing financing for SMEs and energy service companies (ESCOs), strengthen supplier capacity, and promote private investment in clean energy solutions. Subcomponent 2.3: Improving Human Capital and Skills for Sustainable Energy Market focuses on improving human capital through training, apprenticeships, and establishment of a Center of Excellence in Mpumalanga. Beneficiaries include municipalities, SMEs, ESCOs, training institutions, and workers trained for green jobs, as well as communities benefiting from improved services, expanded employment opportunities, and greater economic resilience.