{
  "id": 9583795,
  "title": "SA warns that costly borrowing holding back clean energy shift",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/sa-warns-that-costly-borrowing-holding-back-clean-energy-shift",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-24T16:17:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/1163387-2/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "South Africa has expressed concern that expensive borrowing and dwindling international grants are impeding its transition to cleaner energy sources. Addressing the United Nations (UN) Climate Summit during the UN General Assembly in New York, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment David Maynier announced that a $550 million credit guarantee has been obtained to encourage private investment in electricity transmission. However, he emphasized the need for additional international financial support to accelerate the transition while safeguarding workers and communities reliant on the coal industry. Maynier outlined South Africa's $98 billion just energy transition plan, which aims to expand clean electricity generation, develop green hydrogen, and foster the electric vehicle sector. Despite securing the credit guarantee, he noted that high borrowing costs and declining international grants are hindering progress. The minister also highlighted that a new funding platform had matched $250 million in grants with nine community projects, potentially creating up to 10,500 jobs. He urged for increased climate finance to assist workers and communities impacted by the shift. UNGA | World leaders are continuing their high-level General Debate in New York.",
  "summary": "Maynier called for more climate finance to reach workers and communities affected by the transition.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}