As South Africa’s renewable energy (RE) sector continues to mature, conversations about community participation are gaining new depth. Beyond compliance requirements and benefit-sharing schemes lies a more transformative question: What would it look like for communities to become true equity partners in renewable energy projects?
INSPIRE’s Trust Matters project introduces a new thought-provoking webinar on 19 November 2025 that explores this question through real-world experience and cross-continental collaboration.
Webinar: Pioneering community equity partnerships in large-scale RE projects on communal land: Learnings from the ANTU solar project in Argentina and an ambitious South African project in development
Date: Wednesday, 19 November 2025
Time: 15:00–16:30 SAST
Format: Zoom Webinar (Registration required)
Learning from Argentina’s Meliquina Model
The session features Juan Dumas, co-founder of Meliquina (Argentina), who will share insights from the ANTU Solar Project — a groundbreaking initiative that integrates community equity ownership on communal land. This model offers one of the few tangible examples of large-scale renewable energy projects globally where local communities hold meaningful ownership stakes.
South Africa’s emerging opportunities
In conversation with Masechaba Mabilu of Embedding Impact (INSPIRE partner) and Methuli Mbanjwa of Forethought Capital, the panel will explore how these lessons can inform South Africa’s own journey. As local developers, investors, and community trusts begin to move beyond compliance toward authentic partnership, these global experiences provide both inspiration and practical pathways forward.
The Meliquina story challenges us to rethink traditional project structures and reimagine how value, risk, and opportunity are shared. For South Africa, where many renewable energy projects are situated on communal or traditional land, this conversation is timely and essential.
It’s an invitation to explore models of co-ownership that can strengthen trust, ensure long-term sustainability, and build a renewable energy future that is truly inclusive.
Join Us
This webinar is specifically designed for Community trust trustees, advisors and administrators, Social Performance practitioners, developers, policymakers and organisations working in renewable energy and community development. Be part of this important dialogue between Argentina and South Africa — a space to learn, exchange ideas, and imagine new forms of partnership.
