Alberto Gambacorta, executive vice president for sub-Saharan Africa, Scatec (Image source: Scatec)

Collaboration between government and private sector stakeholders is crucial for accelerating the deployment of large-scale renewable energy projects — this is a recurring theme at many of the major industry gatherings across the continent, serving as vital platforms for advancing Africa's pursuit of a just energy transition, according to renewable energy company Scatec

"There are several effective forums, such as the annual Africa Energy Forum and Mining Indaba, where this conversation (between the public and private sector, as well as government) is happening. Discussions at these events consistently focus on enabling more capacity in the grid, how we can roll out more transmission, and how the municipal space can be opened to more players," says Alberto Gambacorta, Scatec's executive vice president for sub-Saharan Africa.

A significant hurdle for renewable energy developers is the limitations of grid infrastructure, which continue to be a critical bottleneck. This has restricted the integration of new energy sources and, as a result, impacted the success of several Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) rounds.

However, Gambacorta believes that challenges also present opportunities.

“Mention was made in this year's Budget Speech of the Independent Transmission Programme, which will allow the private sector to step in and support Eskom in the Herculean task of building about 14,000 kilometres of high voltage lines, as well as hundreds of transformers around the country,” he notes.

There's also a substantial opportunity in energy storage.

"Storage plays a vital function as a balancing element in the grid. It can shift production that happens during peak sun hours of the day and push it to when there is more capacity on the grid in the afternoon. There's also an opportunity to implement a curtailment framework," Gambacorta explains.

Scatec has notably secured preferred bidder status for the Haru Battery Energy Storage Project in South Africa, a 123 MW/492 MWh project, reaffirming its commitment to battery integration for grid stability. They are also involved in the hybrid solar and battery storage Kenhardt project.

The increasing pressure from carbon taxes is expected to drive corporate demand for renewable energy, as businesses seek to reduce their carbon footprints and operational costs. Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) will be pivotal in this transition, offering companies access to clean energy at predictable costs. These agreements foster collaboration between energy providers and corporate consumers, creating a win-win scenario.

"The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is an existential threat to many companies manufacturing in South Africa and exporting to Europe. If they are procuring electricity from a coal-based fleet, they will have an enormous carbon footprint, and CBAM will impose punitive tariffs. Their products will simply not be viable for the European market anymore," says Gambacorta.

"This means that for these producers, it will make sense to procure electricity from renewable energy Independent Power Producers like Scatec. Over the last few years, we have seen several projects being built based on bilateral PPAs between projects and off-takers. We have also seen companies explore the use of energy aggregator platforms, such as Lyra," he adds.

The agenda at energy forums and conferences consistently highlights a clear understanding of South Africa's need to pursue a technology-agnostic and diversified energy future, encompassing solar, wind, and battery storage.

Scatec's extensive involvement in these sectors, including multiple solar PV projects under REIPPPP and recent battery storage wins, positions the company as a key player in this evolving landscape.

Scatec has recently been awarded three additional projects under REIPPP Bid Window 7, forming the Kroonstad PV Cluster - three large-scale solar power plants in the Free State, namely Oslaagte Solar 2 (293 MW), Oslaagte Solar 3 (293 MW), and Leeuwspruit Solar (260 MW).

Combined with the Mercury Solar PV (283 MW) project awarded in December 2024 under REIPPP Bid Window 7, Scatec’s total preferred bidder awarded capacity in round 7 now reaches 1,131 MW. This milestone further strengthens Scatec’s position as a leading independent power producer in the country’s renewable energy sector.

"Scatec stands out as the IPP in South Africa that has reliably delivered its projects since REIPPP Round 1. Our project and construction teams are experienced, and we work closely with our trusted subcontracting partners to deliver on projects of this scale. We're heading into exciting times,” says Jaco Uys, Scatec’s Senior Vice President: Projects

Public-private partnerships are essential to drive infrastructure development, streamline project execution, and attract international investments through collaborative and constructive engagement.

By working together, Gambacorta says, South Africa can achieve its energy transition goals while simultaneously fostering economic growth and job creation.

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Mozambique to get data centre, transmission line boost (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Mozambique’s energy sector is to receive a boost from the African Development Bank (AfDB) following the institution’s participation in Maputo at the Africa50 shareholders meeting

Africa50 is an investment platform established by African governments with the AfDB, which has now surpassed US$1.4bn in managed assets directed at infrastructure provision.

At the 2025 summit, a memorandum of understanding was signed with Electricidade de Mozambique (EDM) for the development of three transmission lines under an Independent Power Transmission (IPT) framework.

“This will help support the government’s ambition to achieve universal electricity access by 2030 and become a significant exporter of power across the Southern African Development Community,” a statement released by AfDB noted.

Finalisation of the project development agreements is now underway for three lines under an IPT framework, partnering with Power Grid and EDM, it added.

A separate MoU was also signed with the Ministry of Communications and Digital Transformation to build a new data centre facility in Maputo and to modernise the existing one.

Africa50’s Mozambique portfolio already includes equity investment in the 175 MW Central Termica de Ressano Garcia (CTRG) gas-fired power plant.

According to Dr Akinwumi Adesina, president of the AfDB Group, investments by Africa50 complement broader support from the bank itself that have delivered some US$1.6bn to Mozambique over the past decade.

This investment includes US$400mn in senior debt financing for the country's flagship US$20bn liquified natural gas (LNG) project in Cabo Delgado, as well as the US$34mn Mozambique Energy for All Project, which has connected more than 45,500 households to electricity.

The bank claims its energy sector investments have helped to double Mozambique's national energy access rate from 30% in 2018 to 60% in 2024.

The AfDB has also supported agricultural transformation through special agro-industrial processing zones, including the Pemba-Lichinga corridor, while financing critical transport infrastructure along the Nacala and Beira corridors that enhance regional trade connectivity for the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Earlier this year, the AfDB approved US$43.6mn in funding for the construction of the Namaacha-Boane transmission line and related electricity infrastructure

EDM will implement the project in partnership with Central Eléctrica da Namaacha (CEN), a private sector-led development group involving Globeleq Africa Limited and Source Energia that is building the 120 MW Namaacha wind farm in the southwestern part of the country.

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Malawi’s youthful population is expected to drive demand for IT, AI and data centre solutions (Image source: Adobe Stock)

International Power Control Systems (IPCS) has been named as a distribution partner in Malawi by Vertiv, a specialist in critical digital infrastructure

The new agreement marks a major step in expanding Vertiv’s reach in the Malawian market, leveraging IPCS’s established experience in power control and alternative energy solutions.

“This collaboration will enhance IPCS’s product portfolio, reinforcing our position as a trusted leader in the Malawian market,” said Rumbidzai Bere, business development and marketing director at IPCS.

“The combination of IPCS’s experience in power control and renewable energy and Vertiv’s innovative solutions, such as lithium-ion compatible UPS systems and IT infrastructure products, will bring a new layer of reliability and efficiency to organisations in Malawi, enabling them to equip their critical infrastructure with the resilient, scalable infrastructure needed to support them over time.”

The agreement includes the distribution of Vertiv's comprehensive critical digital infrastructure portfolio, including single-phase and three-phase AC power solutions, surge protection, integrated racks and cabinets and IT infrastructure management solutions, to support the growing demands for computing and AI infrastructure in the region.

The Malawi government’s National Compact for Energy sets out the country’s vision and commitment to increasing access to electricity and alternative energy by 2030, with the aim of providing electricity to 70% of the population.

“Our collaboration with IPCS is a step toward reinforcing Vertiv’s local footprint and a strategic move to align with a well-established, respected partner,” said Gary Chomse, Vertiv’s regional director for central and southern Africa.

“This is proof of our presence, commitment and investment in the Malawian power control, data centre infrastructure, and alternative energy sectors.

“Through this partnership, Vertiv and IPCS are committed to contributing to Malawi’s technological evolution, providing businesses with the power and infrastructure solutions needed to support the country’s digital future.”

IPCS, a wholly Malawian-owned company, has built its reputation as a leader in power solutions since its foundation in 1998.

With a strong track record in supplying, installing and maintaining critical power infrastructure, including uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), data centre solutions, automatic voltage regulators, surge protectors, and alternative energy systems, IPCS is well-positioned to supply, install, and support Vertiv solutions in Malawi.

“This means that, as digital transformation accelerates and electrification efforts continue, there is immense potential for growth in the IT and power sectors,” added Bere.

“With Malawi’s youthful population, 80% of whom are under the age of 35, we also believe that the rise in IT skills, the use of AI and cybersecurity advancements will further drive demand for sophisticated data centre solutions.”

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