ENERGY
Huawei invests heavily in smart micro grid solutions In a bid to decarbonise operations and reduce high energy costs, the mining industry is rapidly turning to renewable energy, particularly solar and wind, with over 18 000 MW of renewable projects planned or implemented, notably in Africa. For insight into the benefits of adopting micro- grid solutions, Modern Mining spoke to Joseph Yao, Vice President of digital power Business Unit, and the MD of Mining Micro-Grid and Renewable Business at Huawei.
“F or decades, the mining industry has relied heavily on fossil fuels to power mining – a sector that remains integral to the development of modern society. With the shift to clean green solutions, mining is increasingly adopting renewable energy options, which bodes well for Huawei digital power, as it focuses on renewable energy solutions for the industry.” Remote mining operations, often located hundreds of kilometres from the grid, face prohibitive, up-front capital costs for infrastructure, making grid connection economically unviable. As a result, many mining operations around the world rely on diesel generators for their power supply. However, diesel fuel is expensive, particularly in Africa. “Energy supply is one of the most critical operational challenges for miners. In some African countries, the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) from diesel generation can exceed 40 US cents per kilowatt-hour, which is extremely high. By comparison, in China, electricity costs can be as low as 3 US cents per kilowatt-hour. These high energy costs make it difficult to expand metal production and affect overall project economics.” Another major challenge is meeting ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) requirements. Many projects must provide certification for green, low-carbon mining — especially when supplying European buyers. Continuing to rely on diesel generation not only increases operating costs but also makes it harder
to meet decarbonisation targets. “For example, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), copper exports to the European Union require proof of green mining certification. Without this certification, exporters may face substantial carbon taxes,” explains Yao. The adoption of PV and the energy storage system (ESS) offer several benefits, including significantly reduced electricity costs, stable power supply, a lower carbon tax and ultimately, improved metal production. Global Service System: Huawei has established a worldwide network of local spare parts warehouses and professional service teams across more than 170 countries, to deliver 24/7 rapid response, fully eliminating operational and maintenance (O&M) concerns for mining operations. Integrated Fully In-House Developed Architecture: Featuring full-stack in-house development of end -to-end microgrid systems, our solution leverages a string-type modular design for easy installation, fast commissioning, simplified O&M, and ensured long-term stable operation of the system. Core Innovative Technologies: Covering critical components including chips, IGBT models, advanced grid forming technologies, which continuously lead the industry’s cutting-edge innovation, with rigorous control over product performance and quality at the very source. “Green grid-forming technology has advanced considerably, and costs have dropped substantially. This makes our solutions practical and ready
Joseph Yao, Vice President of digital power Business Unit, and the MD of Mining Micro-Grid and Renewable Business at Huawei.
20 MODERN MINING www.modernminingmagazine.co.za | JUNE 2026
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