Several challenges arise in practically achieving a renewable energy powered electricity system. These include intraday mismatches between electricity supply and demand, as well as seasonal and regional supply imbalances. Bioenergy, in its various forms, could contribute to balancing the electricity grid. However, bioenergy solutions are currently not featuring in South Africa’s long-term power system plans. The research presented in this briefing note is based on the hypothesis that bioenergy is a valuable candidate technology in power system planning from a flexibility perspective. A literature review is utilized to investigate the underlying assumptions regarding bioenergy is South Africa’s capacity expansion planning and to explore why bioelectricity is underrepresented in the future energy mix. The study finds that bioelectricity is still in its early stages of implementation and flexible bioenergy solutions are currently not conceptualized and supported in South Africa’s long-term power system planning. Further research is required to demonstrate relevant conversion technologies and evaluate the prospective temporal and spatial flexibility contributions of bioelectricity in power systems. This would increase the practical consideration of bioenergy technologies in future scenarios.