How can a thriving biomass sector be developed in South Africa? This paper looks closely at two attempts to develop wood pellets as a biomass fuel and biomass electricity: the Howick wood pellet plant and the Tsitsikamma biomass plant. Both plants eventually failed, but provide instructive case studies about the barriers and opportunities for developing the biomass sector in South Africa. The closure of the two plants was mostly due to stand-offs in agreeing purchase agreements with the public energy provider, and the difficulties of establishing a local market – not insuperable technological difficulties. More coherent incentives for biomass innovation systems are needed within South Africa, both for more efficient wood pellet stoves and also for biomass electricity, if South African citizens – particularly its poor – are to have secure energy access.