Energy Management + Industrial Sustainability

Sungrow, a global leader in solar inverters and energy storage systems, recently unveiled its latest commercial and industrial (C&I) energy storage solutions at its first C&I Summit staged in Johannesburg, South Africa, an event that brought together more than 200 industry leaders, partners, and energy experts to explore next-generation technologies and the evolving needs of businesses across the country.

Independent power producer (IPP), Sturdee Energy, has reached financial close on the 91.2 MW Bela Bela Solar Park in Limpopo. This is a landmark project for Sturdee Energy. It will deliver clean, reliable power to a major South African gold mining company. The project brings Sturdee Energy’s projects in construction and operations to over 200 MW across three Southern African countries.

The need for reliable, affordable power is a day-to-day requirement – and growing. In South Africa, sellers of electricity – independent power producers (IPPs) and traders – are central in meeting this need, yet they face a marketplace that is fragmented, complex, and often hard to navigate. Gerjo Hoffman, CEO of Open Access Energy, makes the point that to build a stronger energy future, we need solutions that simplify the process, reduce risk, and open the door to more transparent trading. Here he explains Energypro, a software suite developed by Open Access Energy and designed to make energy trading easier, smarter, and faster.

The Damlaagte PV Facility (Damlaagte), a 97.5-megawatt solar power plant built to supply renewable electricity to Sasol’s Secunda operations, where Air Liquide operates its oxygen production site, was officially inaugurated at the end of October 2025. The project is the first renewable energy facility to come online under Sasol and Air Liquide’s landmark 900 MW joint renewable energy procurement programme. This strategic initiative is a key enabler for both companies’ ambitious decarbonisation plans, supporting Air Liquide’s aim to reduce CO₂ emissions from its Secunda operations by 30% to 40% by 2031. It also plays a key role in enabling Sasol to achieve its 2030 target of securing up to 2 GW of renewable energy. 

JSE listed Growthpoint Properties, South Africa’s leading Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), has acquired a 30% stake in the Boston Hydroelectric plant, a new R390 million development with an operational lifetime of over 40 years.