South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced a renewable energy partnership with Ampli Energy, a product of Discovery Green in collaboration with Sasol, to supply clean electricity equivalent to more than 25% of Kruger National Park’s total annual electricity consumption. The initiative comes during the centenary year of the iconic conservation destination and marks a significant step towards reducing its carbon emissions while supporting long-term energy sustainability.
Kruger National Park is the largest electricity consumer within the SANParks network and accounts for approximately 70% of the organisation’s Scope 2 emissions. Electricity demand has continued to increase alongside tourism activity, with the park welcoming more than 1.8 million visitors in 2025. The growing demand for power has made energy efficiency and cleaner electricity sources important priorities for the organisation.
Under the partnership, SANParks will receive renewable electricity generated outside the protected conservation area through South Africa’s existing electricity network. The approach allows the park to access clean energy without having to invest in large-scale renewable power generation infrastructure within its boundaries. It also avoids the need to allocate additional land for energy projects in an area primarily managed for wildlife conservation and biodiversity protection.
The collaboration has already been operational over the past few months, with renewable electricity being matched against a significant share of the park’s power consumption. The arrangement demonstrates how organisations can use developments in South Africa’s electricity market to access renewable energy while continuing to operate within existing infrastructure arrangements.
SANParks CEO Hapiloe Sello said the partnership represents an important step towards modernising the organisation’s infrastructure and strengthening its long-term energy resilience. She highlighted the importance of reducing emissions while ensuring that conservation remains the organisation’s primary responsibility.
The initiative also reflects a broader effort to align the management of protected areas with sustainability objectives. By reducing dependence on conventional electricity sources, SANParks aims to lower the environmental impact associated with operating one of South Africa’s most prominent national parks.
Discovery Green CEO Andre Nepgen said the partnership combines data-led energy management with environmental and economic sustainability. The approach is intended to support Kruger National Park’s operational requirements while maintaining the quality of the visitor experience.
Dr Sarushen Pillay of Sasol also highlighted the role of industrial infrastructure in supporting the country’s energy transition. He noted that industrial assets, including the Secunda complex, can help provide the support needed to accelerate decarbonisation efforts across South Africa.
The partnership highlights how renewable energy procurement can support conservation organisations without requiring major construction within environmentally sensitive areas. As Kruger National Park enters its next century, the initiative provides an example of how tourism destinations and conservation authorities can incorporate cleaner energy into their operations while protecting natural ecosystems.
Through this collaboration, SANParks and its partners aim to demonstrate how existing electricity infrastructure and private-sector participation can contribute to emissions reduction and a more sustainable future for South Africa’s conservation sector.
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