By Joyce Moganedi, solutions sales manager, ABB Energy Industries.
As the global population continues to grow, energy demand also rises. To meet this increasing demand, it is crucial to integrate renewable sources into the energy mix. Among these renewable sources, solar power is playing an important role in building a more sustainable future with lower emissions.
According to Statista, the global solar power sector is expected to grow by 7.3% annually between 2024 and 2029. The study also explains that among developing countries, Africa and the sub-Saharan region will see an exponential increase in energy demand in the coming years. With many households still in need of electricity, scaling up solar power projects using automation and digital solutions from various partners is essential in meeting the growing demand. However, balancing renewable power supply with end user demand becomes more challenging as the share of renewables grows. ABB has assisted customers across various industries to reach their energy goals.
Solar power and Africa
The first photovoltaic (PV) or solar cell converting light energy to electricity was invented in 1954. Today PV panels and concentrated solar power plants (CSPs) are used in generating electricity as part of the clean energy transition. CSPs utilise mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight to heat a fluid that drives turbines, and solar home systems, thereby providing electricity to households.
With 53% of Africa’s population still in need of electricity, according to a 2023 report by UN Trade and Development, tapping into the region’s vast resources and opportunities in solar power will help secure its future. But utilising these resources requires investment in solar power projects and building infrastructure, including robust grid systems that help transmit electricity to consumers. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, only 2% of global renewable energy investments went to Africa in the past two decades.
ABB has been supporting the solar power sector since the 1990s with automation, electrification and digitalisation solutions, exhibiting technology expertise in how best to harness, control and store solar energy and efficiently convert it into a reliable power source, ready for transfer into the local grid.
Supporting the solar revolution
ABB’s portfolio of products, systems and solutions for the solar power industry is extensive and caters for both industrial and private use. Photovoltaic applications focus on delivering continuous operation, higher reliability and a bigger return on investmentment. ABB has been instrumental in supporting various solar power projects across Africa by providing advanced automation and electrical solutions. One of the key offerings is the ABB Ability Symphony Plus SCADA automation platform, which serves as a valuable resource for these initiatives. Solar power represents a significant opportunity in Africa’s energy landscape, with the potential to bring electricity to many more communities.
ABB’s expertise in design, engineering, and commissioning will be essential in harnessing this untapped clean energy, ensuring a brighter and more sustainable future for the region.
Overcoming the bottling industry’s fragmented visibility Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing Electrical Power & Protection
Beverage bottling facilities are among manufacturing’s most energy-intensive environments, yet many still operate without granular insight into where that energy goes. Rezolia Muller-Potluri of Schneider Electric explains how tiered metering architecture and advanced
Read more...Schneider Electric introduces next-generation BlokSeT switchboard Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric has launched its next-generation BlokSeT low-voltage switchboard in West Africa, offering high reliability, predictive maintenance capability and digital integration for critical infrastructure and industrial applications.
Read more...Powering South Africa’s renewable energy expansion
Electrical Power & Protection
ACTOM Distribution Transformers, the sole NECRT contract holder for Eskom, is powering South Africa’s renewable energy expansion through robust neutral earthing transformer solutions deployed across solar and wind projects in southern Africa.
Read more...You can’t digitise a blackout Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Across East Africa, smart meters and AI promise cleaner, more reliable power, but digital tools cannot optimise a grid too weak to carry the load. Schneider Electric’s Symphrose Ochieng sets out why operators should strengthen physical infrastructure first, then add digital capability in phases.
Read more...Battery energy storage is key to powering South Africa’s manufacturing sector
Electrical Power & Protection
South Africa’s shift to renewables is creating a significant opportunity in battery energy storage, but local manufacturers face an uphill battle against cheap imports and stop-start demand. Richard van Moltke of ACTOM Static Power examines what it will take to build a sustainable local battery storage industry.
Read more...Decarbonisation is reshaping mining strategy in Africa Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing Electrical Power & Protection
Mining companies across Africa are embedding decarbonisation into operational strategy, driven by investor, regulatory and customer pressure to reduce emissions while improving resilience.
Read more...How to tell whether your mini-substation is new or refurbished
Electrical Power & Protection
Cosmetically refurbished mini-substations are being misrepresented as new equipment and sold back into the market, posing serious reliability and safety risks for mining, industrial and commercial operations. Trafo Power Solutions explains what to look for and what questions to ask before purchasing.
Read more...Optimising energy reliability for African manufacturing
Electrical Power & Protection IT in Manufacturing
Unreliable power can cost African manufacturers as much as 31% in sales. Behind-the-meter power offers manufacturers in sub-Saharan Africa control, visibility and resilience in their energy provisioning.
Read more...Electrical solutions for FMCG manufacturing giant
Electrical Power & Protection
An electrical upgrade at a leading fast-moving consumer goods facility demonstrates how ACTOM Kenya turned a fragile, reactive power infrastructure into a resilient, data-driven backbone for production. The project is also a case study in bridging legacy equipment with modern automation without disrupting operations.
Read more...Yokogawa digital plant to accelerate green hydrogen revolution Yokogawa South Africa
Editor's Choice Electrical Power & Protection IT in Manufacturing
Yokogawa explains how a digital plant approach and autonomous operations can integrate the full green hydrogen value chain, from renewable power generation to end-use applications, and why digitalisation and system integration are central to making green hydrogen viable in South Africa.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version