Renewable energy + energy management: Products + services
Digital switchgear and smart grid technologies for distribution utilities
current and voltage transformers. Combined with the Substation Centralised Control and Protection SCC600, these solutions offer predictive
The Association of Municipal Electricity Utilities (AMEU) held its 71st annual convention in October 2025 at the East London International Convention Centre. The AMEU Convention is the premier gathering for municipal electricity distributors, utilities, engineers, policymakers and suppliers from across Southern Africa. The annual event provides a valuable platform for knowledge-sharing, policy development and the showcasing of innovations that support the modernisation of the region’s power networks. ABB Electrification Distribution Solutions was there – it showcased its latest medium-voltage (MV) switchgear and smart grid technologies, exhibiting fully functional demonstration equipment and ABB technology. The display included ABB’s UniGear Digital ZS1 switchgear, LeanGear switchgear, SafePlus RMU, Smart Substation Control and Protection SSC600, SCADA software and technology, as well as a range of supporting components. A customer-centric approach “At ABB, our portfolio of technologies and solutions are customer focused, tailored to solving real-world challenges, supporting utilities and industries to modernise their grids and prepare for a more digital, decentralised and sustainable energy future,” says Jan van Zyl, Product Line Manager Primary Switchgear at ABB South Africa. The UniGear Digital ZS1 and SafePlus solutions make use of advanced sensor technology instead of conventional Powering municipal utilities Municipalities throughout South Africa are facing rising energy demands and increasing costs – as well as opportunities to participate in a new market of energy independence and self- su§iciency. Modern power generation, storage, management, and transmission innovations bring the energy market closer to municipalities. Together with many other electricity professionals and vendors, WEG Africa participated in the 71st convention of the Association of Municipal Electricity Utilities (AMEU) in October 2025. “The AMEU Convention is the place where municipalities and energy companies come together to share knowledge, build on existing relationships, and form new partnerships, where we can understand what municipalities are looking for, and showcase what WEG o§ers in products, expertise, and local manufacturing,” says Jan-Frederik Viljoen, Director of the WEG Transformer Division. Gareth Stanford, Transformer & Generator Sales Specialist at WEG, says being present at the AMEU Convention gave WEG the chance to re-engage with municipal players and to understand their needs. WEG Africa showcased a range of products such as its power transformers, generators, solar panels and inverters, battery energy storage systems, mobile substations, and e-houses. The WEG team also discussed technical and business services, ranging from finance, skills access, maintenance, and a¤er sales support, to electricity wheeling, PV solutions, and energy e§iciency. Events like the AMEU convention o§er the opportunity to sit face-to-face
AI software that proactively forecasts where and when faults may occur. By replacing conventional hardware with sensors, ABB equipment significantly reduces system
footprint and associated civil costs, improves safety, shortens engineering and commissioning times, and lowers standing energy consumption. Importantly, ABB’s digital technologies are designed to adapt to evolving grid requirements, reducing the need for hardware replacement. Solutions-driven and innovation-led ABB also supports utilities and municipalities with battery energy storage and smart MV solutions, housed in modular compact substations. Type-tested ABB UniPack-G compact substations provide environmentally robust and safe solutions that can be rapidly deployed and monitored remotely, offering operators real-time insight into system status. Jan van Zyl, Manager Primary Switchgear at ABB South Africa.
For more information visit: go.abb/electrification
and engage directly with prospective customers, showing what WEG can deliver and how it works. “Municipalities want to create energy e§iciency and sustainable growth through service delivery. There is a real spirit of building and rebuilding. But they are contending with issues like ageing infrastructure and skills shortages. We want to assist them in reaching their goals,” says Dillon Govender, Business Development for Public Sector at WEG. WEG Africa showcased a range of products including its power transformers, generators, solar panels and inverters, battery energy storage systems, and more.
For more information visit: www.weg,net
DEC 2025 - JAN 2026 Electricity + Control
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