Fund Name

Alternative Energy Fund

Agency

NEF

Type

Loans & Equity

Sector

Renewable Energy

Summary

The NEF’s Alternative Energy Solutions offering supports black-owned businesses to install alternative and renewable energy systems — including solar — helping them reduce reliance on the national grid, lower operating costs, and improve energy resilience.

The National Empowerment Fund (NEF) supports black-owned businesses to install alternative energy solutions, including solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and other renewable energy technologies. This offering is designed to help black entrepreneurs and black-owned enterprises address the impact of load shedding and energy instability on their operations, while reducing energy costs and building long-term energy resilience.

The funding can be used to purchase and install energy systems such as solar panels, inverters, battery storage, and related infrastructure. Both micro enterprises and larger businesses are eligible, making this offering accessible to a wide range of black-owned businesses across all provinces.

The NEF deploys this support through its existing financing instruments, including debt, equity, and quasi-equity, depending on the applicant’s profile and the scale of the energy installation required.

Who this is for?

This offering is aimed at:

  • Black-owned businesses (51%+) seeking to install alternative or renewable energy solutions
  • Youth-owned (18–35) and women-owned businesses needing energy resilience support
  • Micro, small, medium, and large enterprises across all sectors
  • Businesses in the services sector (including tourism, ICT, logistics) and infrastructure/energy sector
  • Start-ups, growing businesses, and established enterprises
  • Businesses negatively affected by load shedding or energy supply instability

What support/funding you can get

  • Finance types: Debt, equity, and quasi-equity instruments
  • Business size: Micro enterprises (0–5 employees) through to large enterprises (50+ employees)
  • Turnover range: Under R1 million through to over R100 million

What you can use it for?

Funding can be used for the following alternative energy purposes:

  • Solar photovoltaic (PV) panel installation
  • Inverters and battery storage systems
  • Energy management and monitoring systems
  • Related electrical infrastructure and installation costs
  • Working capital linked to the energy solution
  • Energy resilience upgrades as part of a broader business expansion

Key requirements and conditions

  • Business must be at least 51% black-owned
  • The energy installation must be for the applicant’s own business use
  • The business must demonstrate the ability to service and repay the NEF’s investment
  • Applications are assessed in line with NEF’s standard funding criteria
  • BEE applicants must be actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the business

How the application works

Applicants submit their applications and supporting documents directly to the NEF. Applications are assessed for commercial viability, black ownership credentials, and the suitability of the proposed energy installation.

Apply online at online.nefcorp.co.za or contact the NEF directly for guidance on the application process.

Visit the How to Apply for Funding page for step-by-step guidance.

What to prepare before you start

  • Proof of black ownership (minimum 51%)
  • Business plan or motivation for the energy installation
  • Quotation or proposal from a reputable energy solutions provider
  • Financial statements or projections (audited where available)
  • Details of the current energy costs and expected savings post-installation
  • Share structure and ownership documentation
  • Identity documents for key shareholders and directors

Am I a fit for this particular fund?

You likely qualify if:

  • Your business is at least 51% black-owned
  • You need funding to install solar panels, battery storage, inverters, or other alternative energy systems for your business
  • Your business has been negatively affected by load shedding or energy supply instability
  • Your business is in the services sector (tourism, ICT, logistics), infrastructure/energy, or a related sector
  • Your annual turnover is under R1 million and above (all turnover bands are eligible)
  • Your business has between 0 and 50+ employees
  • You are a black-owned, youth-owned, or women-owned business

You likely do not qualify if:

  • Your business is not at least 51% black-owned
  • The energy installation is not for your own business use
  • Your business cannot demonstrate the ability to repay the NEF’s investment
  • BEE applicants are not operationally involved in the day-to-day management of the business

Quick facts

Overview

  • Agency: National Empowerment Fund (NEF)
  • Product name Supporting Black Businesses to Install Alternative Energy Solutions
  • What this is: An NEF financing offering supporting black-owned businesses to install alternative and renewable energy systems (solar PV, battery storage, inverters) to improve energy resilience, reduce load-shedding impact, and lower operating costs.
  • Geographic scope: National (all provinces)

Who this is for

  • Eligible applicant type: Black-owned businesses (51%+), youth-owned (18–35), women-owned; micro, small, medium and large enterprises
  • Sector focus: Services (Tourism / ICT / Logistics / Global Business / Film & TV), Infrastructure / Energy
  • Business stage: Start-up (under 2 years), Growing Business (2–5 years), Established (5+ years)

Type of support

  • Is financial support provided: Yes
  • Support form: Debt, equity, and quasi-equity finance

Funding parameters

  • Funding approach: Repayable (loan / equity investment)
  • Funding range: Not publicly specified; accessible to micro through large enterprises across all turnover bands
  • Funding streams: Single offering deployed through NEF's existing financing instruments (debt, equity, quasi-equity); instrument selected based on applicant profile and scale of energy installation

What the support can be used for

  • Eligible use of support: Solar PV panel installation, inverters, battery storage systems, energy management systems, related electrical infrastructure, working capital linked to energy solution, energy resilience upgrades as part of business expansion
  • Ineligible use of support: Energy installations not for the applicant's own business use; businesses not at least 51% black-owned; businesses where BEE applicants are not operationally involved in day-to-day management

Information you will need to provide

Proof of black ownership (minimum 51%), business plan or motivation for the energy installation, quotation or proposal from a reputable energy solutions provider, financial statements or projections (audited where available), details of current energy costs and expected savings post-installation, share structure and ownership documentation, identity documents for key shareholders and directors

Key requirements and conditions

How it works

  • Application route: Online application via NEF portal (online.nefcorp.co.za) or direct contact with NEF
  • Assessment focus: Commercial viability, black ownership credentials (51%+), operational involvement of BEE applicants, suitability of proposed energy installation, ability to repay investment

Contact and routing

0861 843 633 | https://www.nefcorp.co.za/contact-us/

Additional information

This offering is designed to help black entrepreneurs address the impact of load shedding and energy instability on business operations. Both micro enterprises and large businesses are eligible. Funding is deployed through NEF’s existing financing instruments.

Contact and routing

Contact the National Empowerment Fund for alternative energy funding enquiries:

Application Considerations:

What You Need to Prepare Before Applying

Most applications are delayed or declined due to incomplete submissions. Preparing the items below upfront will significantly improve your chances.

Core documents (required for almost all funds)

  • Company registration documents
  • Ownership and shareholder information
  • Business plan or project description
  • Recent financial statements or management accounts
  • Project budget and cost breakdown

Project‑specific documents (depending on the fund)

  • Quotes for equipment, infrastructure, or services
  • Feasibility study or technical proposal (where required)
  • Energy solution proposal (for energy‑related funds)
  • Export contracts or buyer information (for export and insurance products)
  • Job creation plan (where applicable)
  • Turnaround or recovery plan (for distress funding)

Additional requirements

  • Proof of sector compliance or permits (where relevant)
  • Evidence of co‑funding or financing approvals (for grants and blended funding)
  • Any templates or declarations specified by the administering agency

What Happens After You Apply

  1. Completeness check – your submission is reviewed to ensure all required documents are included.
  2. Eligibility assessment – the agency confirms that you meet the fund’s basic criteria.
  3. Technical and financial review – your project and financials are evaluated.
  4. Decision and contracting – approved applications proceed to contracting and implementation.

Timelines vary by fund and depend heavily on the quality and completeness of your application.

Important Notes for Applicants

  • Approval is not guaranteed, even if all requirements are met.
  • Funding terms may be subject to final agency approval and conditions.
  • Submitting accurate and complete information is critical.
  • Misrepresentation or incomplete information can result in delays or rejection.

Interested in this fund or have some questions?

Online Enquiry

Direct Enquiry

General Enquiries

Email Address:
enquiries@nefcorp.co.za

Contact Numbers:
0861 843 633 / 011 305 8000

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