Eskom, the Government of the Netherlands and the Mpumalanga provincial government officially launched the Grootvlei Climate Smart Horticulture Centre at the Grootvlei Power Station on Tuesday 28 January 2026, marking a practical step forward in linking South Africa’s Just Energy Transition to new local economic opportunities in climate-smart food production and skills development.
Hosted by Eskom, the launch was attended by Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, representatives of the Netherlands, provincial and local municipal leadership, and members of the local community.
The partnership will be implemented under the leadership of the Enterprising Africa Regional Network (EARN), with support from the Mpumalanga Green Cluster, Seed2Feed Foundation, Holland Green Tech, Ridder, Bosman Van Zaal, Van der Hoeven / Van der Straaten Acampo, Svensson, and Control Union.
Already, eight community members from the Dipaleseng Municipality are being trained as greenhouse facilitators. Additionally, 75 ‘agripreneurs’, who are also community members, will participate in the Agripreneur Development Programme, starting in April 2026. Each agripreneur is expected to employ members from the community and, taken together, the programme is projected to support the creation of substantial sustainable jobs by 2030.
The centre is a pilot initiative within Eskom’s Just Energy Transition (JET) Programme, demonstrating how repurposed energy-related infrastructure can support future-oriented economic activity beyond the energy sector. The focus is on practical training, skills development, and value-chain development in climate-smart horticulture rather than large-scale commercial production at this stage.
The launch was attended by the Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, representatives of the Netherlands, and provincial and local municipal leadership. It included a guided tour of the facility, demonstrations of climate-smart technologies, and a chance to engage with stakeholders from government, industry, the Eskom Board, Eskom leadership and representatives, and the local community.
Roald Lapperre, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, emphasised the long-term commitment behind the partnership. Quoting a well-recognised proverb, he said: “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together. Together, we’ll do our best to turn Grootvlei into a lasting success.”
He said success should be judged by lived outcomes: “I believe in measuring progress not only in numbers, but in economically engaged people.”
And he added that the centre is designed to connect local and international role-players across the agricultural value chain, strengthening resilience and preparedness for economic and climate challenges.
The partnership with the Netherlands draws on internationally recognised Dutch expertise in high-tech horticulture, efficient water use, energy-smart production systems and value-chain organisation, centred around South African leadership, local implementation, and long-term growth for Mpumalanga.
Eskom Board Chairperson, Mteto Nyati said: “This project is an exciting early example of key stakeholders coming together to develop new economic activities that protect livelihoods and the local community as South Africa moves from a high-carbon to a lower-carbon economy. We are grateful for the leadership by the Minister of Electricity and Energy as the primary convener of the JET, the significant investment by the Government of the Netherlands and its partners, and the support of the Mpumalanga Premier and the Dipaleseng Local Municipality.”
Grootvlei contributes to national priorities by creating jobs, building practical skills, supporting Black Economic Empowerment through local participation, and advancing South Africa’s energy transition in a way that is grounded in place-based economic development. Looking ahead, the Grootvlei Climate Smart Horticulture Centre is intended to inform the development of a broader agri-economic hub, integrating agriculture, skills development and logistics, with increasing private-sector participation.
The Grootvlei project reflects South Africa’s energy transition: it is not only about changing power sources, but about creating new economic futures for people, land and local communities.
For more information visit: www.eskom.co.za