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Energy conference advances collaboration, innovation and inclusion

Leading energy conference and exhibition, the Africa Energy Indaba – being hosted from March 4 to 6, 2025, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre – is set to unite global and African leaders to address the continent’s energy challenges and opportunities, fostering dialogue and collaboration for sustainable growth. A key highlight of the 2025 Indaba is the Women in Energy Forum. Scheduled for March 5, this initiative underscores the vital role of gender diversity and inclusion in shaping Africa’s energy future.
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HV battery storage to become essential

High-voltage battery storage systems are becoming an essential component of South Africa’s renewable-energy strategy, either as standalone battery energy storage systems (BESS) or integrated with solar installations, says energy equipment and solutions provider Revov. Addressing local challenges with bespoke solutions and robust support enables the company to “pave the way for a more sustainable and energy-secure future” through continued innovation and supportive government policies, says co-founder and MD Lance Dickerson.
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Opinion: The Just Energy Transition is just taking too long

In this article, financial services provider DG Capital’s Imraan Mukadam and Shaun Nel write that the need to gear all levers across government, especially through dedicated incentives towards the right projects, to support the just transition to renewables has never been more urgent.
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IEA report points to revival in nuclear interest

A new International Energy Agency (IEA) report argues that nuclear capacity could double to 870 GW by 2050 in light of renewed interest in the building of new nuclear plants, including small modular reactors (SMRs), as well as in extending the lifetimes of existing power stations. Nevertheless, the technology’s share of global electricity generation is still expected to remain below 10%, in light of expectations that even stronger electricity demand growth over the period will be met primarily by renewable energy.
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Coaltech, Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency partner to advance JET initiatives

Johannesburg-based research institute Coaltech has signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with the Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency (MGCA) to support research and innovative solutions towards Just Energy Transition (JET) work in the province.

The organisations seek to unlock green economy opportunities, as well as to address the socioeconomic and environmental challenges associated with South Africa’s coal mining sector – including remediating and repurposing of land.

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Photon Energy to build 250 MW solar, thermal storage plant in KZN

European renewable-energy company Photon Energy has successfully secured 1 200 ha of land for a 250 MW concentrated solar PV plant with 150 MW (1.8 GWh or 12 hours) of thermal hydro storage to be built in Winterton, KwaZulu-Natal, and has received favourable grid connection terms, thereby ensuring it can fully integrate its capacity into the grid. “This project represents a significant milestone for Photon Energy as we expand our footprint into South Africa,” says group CEO Georg Hotar.
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Mediclinic to roll out microgrids at its hospitals

Healthcare provider Mediclinic has solar PV panels installed at 28 of its sites across the country and is gearing up to roll out a national project aimed at installing microgrids that integrate battery systems with on-site renewable energy.  The company aims to be carbon neutral by 2030. In 2021, Mediclinic started working towards this goal by measuring, analysing and then reducing its reliance on fossil fuel energy supplies.
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Eskom’s hard-won recovery tested by cities owing billions

A turnaround in the finances of South Africa’s Eskom Holdings has won praise from investors but they are keeping their eyes on one issue — the company’s struggle to recoup about R95-billion in unpaid electricity bills from cities and towns across the country. It’s a debt pile that continues to mount as municipalities themselves fall behind in collecting revenue from customers. With 95.4-billion owed as of November, the arrears could jeopardise Eskom’s plans to spin off its distribution unit, a move that it says is key to boosting efficiency and securing investment.
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Regulatory barriers, limited charging networks stall EV progress despite tax incentive

Electric vehicle (EV) charging station company Zero Carbon Charge (Charge) has renewed calls for more policy support to address key barriers to electric vehicle (EV) adoption in South Africa, highlighting the need for sustainable charging infrastructure and regulatory reforms.

While Charge has welcomed recent government initiatives, such as the 150% tax incentive for electric- and hydrogen-powered vehicle manufacturers, the organisation stresses that these measures alone are insufficient to fast-track EV adoption.

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Battery minerals demand expected to outpace supply – McKinsey

Demand for battery raw materials will outpace base-case supply for certain materials, requiring additional investment and leading to fear of shortages and price volatility, among other challenges, strategy and management consulting company McKinsey projects. The fast-growing demand for batteries, for example from the automotive and energy sectors, has caused unprecedented levels of investment by raw materials producers and battery manufacturers.
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