The SAWEM is the proposed trading platform for the short-term wholesale buying and selling of electricity in South Africa coordinated through a Market Operator. SAWEM was first initiated by the government under the Energy Action Plan to bring structural reform to the Energy Sector.
Under South Africa’s amended Electricity Regulation Act (ERA), the Market Operator must provide a “transparent non-discriminatory trading platform, approved by the Regulator, for power market participants to trade”. The SAWEM is the trading platform that is being developed.
The Draft Wholesale Electricity Market Code and Rules is the proposed set of rules that will govern the SAWEM.
Trading through the SAWEM is expected to commence at the end of 2026. Members of the public, civil society organisations, municipalities, energy experts and affected communities can all participate in the consultation process by submitting comments and in the ongoing processes of the SAWEM being set up and functional.
The closing date for written comments is Monday 22 June 2026.
This factsheet shares basic information and looks at some the frequently asked questions surrounding the SAWEM and Market Code and Rules.
