The Trust was established by Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm (also known as the Jeffreys Bay plant or the Jeffreys Bay project company) as part of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer (REIPP) programme implemented by the government to assist in alleviating South Africa’s electricity shortage.

The Trust owns 6% of the Jeffreys Bay plant. The Trust owns this share through its ‘trust company’. This means that when profits are made by the Jeffreys Bay plant the trust receives 6% of it. This is paid in ‘dividends’ to the trust company and then on to the Trust.

However, the Trust had to take loans to buy its 6% share in the Jeffreys Bay plant. For several years from the time the Trust was established, this debt had to first be paid with almost all the funds received by the trust. In 2020 the loans were finally settled and the trust is now able to start funding more community development projects.

The Trust is an independent entity that is governed by trustees who have been appointed to ensure that it is run in an effective, efficient, responsible, and accountable way.