SOLAR & ENERGY EFFICIENCY
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The new meeting place for South Africa’s C&I energy market R E+ South Africa Conference launches in June as a dedicated platform for businesses pursuing clean energy solutions. Bringing together stakeholders from key sectors at the Gallagher
Energy Efficiency as a service – now you can have your cake and eat it too By Thabang Byl, Buildings Segment Lead at Schneider Electric
and energy leaders with practical, business-led insights. Participants can expect real-world case studies from leading companies, advice on PPAs, financing, and risk management, as well as updates on policy and regulation. The sessions will also cover emerging topics like ESG compliance and energy asset lifecycle planning. Register now to secure your place—early bird rates end on 30 April 2026. Join this exclusive forum of energy leaders and help drive change in South Africa. Contact the RE+ South Africa team for enquiries.
Today, advanced technologies such as Building Management Systems (BMS), Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), and integrated workspace management software go a long way towards optimising energy use and ensuring a continuous supply.
Convention Centre (2–3 June 2026), the event occurs alongside RE+ South Africa and helps shape the future of energy. Why this conference matters? The C&I energy market is evolving due to rising costs, security concerns, new regulations, and growing ESG demands. Many businesses are still seeking ways to turn strategies into effective actions. The RE+ South Africa Conference tackles these challenges by providing business
B uildings are, by their very nature, energy-intensive. Fortunately, there are well-known solutions that allow businesses and facility managers to manage this energy use. But, and isn’t there always a but, it does come at a cost. Today, advanced technologies such as Building Management Systems (BMS), Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), and integrated workspace management software go a long way towards optimising energy use and ensuring a continuous supply. Unfortunately, these technologies can be quite costly, leaving businesses struggling to balance operational efficiency with sustainability goals. Enter Energy Efficiency as a Service (EEaaS). Whilst similar to its older sibling, Energy as a Service (EaaS), it essentially operates as a subset, focusing primarily on reducing energy consumption through upgrades such as efficient lighting, HVAC systems and insulation. In South Africa, EEaaS offers the opportunity to achieve quick cost savings while also reducing the carbon footprint. Indeed, in a country that is perpetually facing rising energy costs and supply challenges, EEaaS is not only good for the environment but also for business. burden from capital expenditure (CapEx) to operational expenditure (OpEx). This allows commercial property managers and owners to retrofit existing facilities with energy-efficient solutions and monitoring technology without incurring upfront costs. EEaaS at work Like EaaS, EEaaS shifts the financial Also, by partnering with specialised service providers, organisations can access ongoing support, analytics, and maintenance, ensuring the optimal operation of their systems. As with other ‘As-a-Service’ models, this results in a sustainable strategy that drives significant cost savings and operational efficiency while allowing businesses to focus on their core activities. Models of flexibility As-a-Service (AaS) models, such as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and Everything-as-a-Service (XaaS), have seen significant global success and adoption across industries.
Register now for your delegate pass: https://bit.ly/4cix2FW
Bridging Africa’s energy divide: powering progress and prosperity A frica’s development depends on expanding energy grids. In 2025, electricity demand will grow by 5.2%, yet over 600 million Africans still lack reliable power, limiting opportunities in
between 2% and 6% of GDP annually. More than 25% of firms in major economies such as Ghana, Angola, and Nigeria report substantial sales losses due to outages. Reliable electricity is especially vital for small and medium-sized enterprises and rural communities, where stable power enables job creation and economic activity. Bridging Africa’s energy gap requires more than technical solutions; it demands bold investment and policy reform. Although Africa holds 40% of the world’s solar potential, it accounts for less than 2% of installed solar capacity. The International Energy Agency estimates that annual grid investment must rise from $10 billion to nearly $50 billion by 2030 to expand transmission lines, modernise existing infrastructure, integrate renewable energy, and improve rural access. Achieving this will require attracting private capital through public-private partnerships and modernising regulatory frameworks to encourage innovation and integrate renewables. Africa’s success stories, such as the Ethiopia-Kenya Power Interconnection Project, demonstrate that investment, partnership, and regulatory reform yield tangible benefits. The continent has the necessary resources. Now is the time for leaders, investors, and policymakers to step up, commit to decisive action, and accelerate efforts to electrify Africa’s future. The path to sustainable growth depends on making reliable energy access a reality for all.
education, healthcare, and industry. The backbone of Africa’s economic growth is reliable energy grids. Modern, interconnected transmission and distribution networks are essential for delivering electricity efficiently over vast distances. Investing in resilient grid systems increases energy capacity and ensures a reliable power supply, directly supporting prosperity and improving quality of life. Innovation and collaboration are driving improvements in the grid. The adoption of smart grids and the integration of renewable energy, such as solar and wind, are strengthening grid capacity and reliability. Smart grids use digital technology to monitor and manage electricity flow, making systems more responsive and cost- effective. Regional cooperation, exemplified by initiatives such as the Southern African Power Pool, enables countries to share resources and balance supply and demand, thereby making energy systems more robust and accessible. Energy poverty remains a critical obstacle. Power disruptions severely affect manufacturing, healthcare, and small businesses, causing downtime, lost sales, and higher costs from reliance on backup generators. According to 2025 estimates, unreliable electricity costs African nations
Thabang Byl, Buildings Segment Lead at Schneider Electric
implementation of EEaaS often relies on financial backing to ensure scalability and sustainability. These institutions play a crucial role in providing the necessary capital, structured as operational expenditure, to facilitate the widespread adoption of energy-efficient technologies. This collaboration not only mitigates financial risks for businesses but also undoubtedly accelerates the transition towards a more sustainable energy future. At Schneider Electric, we offer a comprehensive EEaaS model that enhances energy resilience, sustainability, and efficiency without requiring upfront capital investment. Key features include: • Customised solutions: tailoring energy management services to meet specific organisational goals, such as reducing carbon footprints or enhancing energy reliability. • No upfront costs: allowing customers to avoid capital expenditures by opting for predictable monthly payments. • Integration with renewables: incorporating solar and battery storage to enhance sustainability. • Risk mitigation: managing the entire process from planning to implementation, thereby reducing financial and operational risks for customers. • Microgrid technology: implementing microgrids to provide decentralised energy solutions, thereby improving resilience and reducing costs.
In fact, the global XaaS market continues to expand at a rapid pace, driven by the flexibility and
scalability of these models. In a recent Accenture survey, 85% of executives cited AaS models as complementing existing revenue streams. Like many AaS models, the successful
For enquiries, visit www.se.com/za/en/
SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS
MAY 2026
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