South African businesses turn to energy storage as infrastructure costs rise
South Africa’s commercial and industrial sector is increasingly turning to energy storage, alternative power procurement and water resilience as rising costs and infrastructure constraints put pressure on business operations.
These issues will be discussed at the C&I Energy + Storage Summit in Johannesburg, where energy users, industrial companies, policymakers, financiers and technology providers will examine ways to improve energy security and manage long-term operating costs.
The summit will focus on investment decisions such as battery energy storage systems (BESS), on-site solar, wheeling agreements, renewable power purchase agreements and alternative electricity procurement models.
Energy storage will be a key topic, with discussions on its use for peak shaving, tariff management, energy arbitrage, renewable energy firming and hybrid solar-plus-storage systems.
The event will also address challenges in developing energy projects, from planning and financing to construction and operation, as businesses seek greater certainty over energy supply and costs.
It will be held alongside the Energy Intensive Users Group (EIUG) Annual Conference and Water Security Africa Johannesburg, which will broaden the focus to industrial competitiveness and water infrastructure challenges.
The EIUG Conference will examine the impact of energy costs and policy changes on major industrial consumers, including electricity tariffs, carbon tax, CBAM, electricity market reforms, grid security and energy transition financing. It will also explore hydrogen, digitalization and renewable energy as industries adapt to changing conditions.
Water Security Africa Johannesburg will focus on risks facing industrial water users, including ageing infrastructure, unreliable municipal supply, climate pressures and rising costs. It will highlight solutions such as water reuse, recycling, independent supply systems and improved municipal infrastructure.
The programme will also explore digital tools such as artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, smartwater systems and digital twins to improve water management and reduce risks.
The combined discussions highlight a growing shift among South African businesses to treat energy and water challenges as interconnected infrastructure risks, with a focus on resilience, cost control and long-term competitiveness.
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