Securing Africa’s energy future starts at home: finding a local solution to a global challenge

AFRICA’S energy demands are surging, driven by rapid population growth and industrial expansion. Industries are now frantically seeking reliable and affordable power alternatives to run their operations, from the current reliance on imported solar technology, from panels, to inverters and batteries, leaves the continent vulnerable.

- MERVYN NAIDOO

Repairs are delayed, components become scarce and the whole system falters when global supply chains hit a snag. It’s a fragile setup, plain and simple, and one that Africa can’t afford to rely on.

Which is why the prospect of building inverters and lithium batteries locally, designed for South Africa’s specific needs, is so incredibly promising. In stimulating domestic production, industries can tackle the twin challenges of job creation and addressing spiralling energy costs. This is, however, no longer just a golden opportunity, but rather an absolute necessity if the continent is to meet its ever-expanding energy needs.

Making a compelling case for localisation.

South Africa, a microcosm of the continent’s struggles, battles loadshedding that persists, battles with load shedding, a direct consequence of Eskom’s inability to keep pace with demand. It requires a pragmatic, total solar rooftop adoption. Rooftop installations now account for an estimated 5 000 megawatts, close to a total solar capacity of around 16 000 gigawatts including concentrated solar power.

This trend is not driven by load shedding alone, as municipal infrastructure decays, leading to extended outages on for days, has heightened the need for independent power solutions. In the first 50 days of this year, some industrial areas endured as many as 20 to 30 days without electricity, highlighting the sheer scale of the crisis.