The 2024 Huawei Sub-Saharan Africa Utility Solar & BESS Summit was proudly held in in Cape Town, South Africa. Over 130 delegates from over 80 developers, EPC firms, customers, partners, power grid companies and industry organisations were in attendance to promote experience sharing and industry collaboration, to build an open and mutually beneficial energy industry ecosystem that will promote sustainable industrial and economic development.

In a compelling keynote, Huawei Digital Power Sub-Saharan Africa Region President Xia Hesheng, highlighted Huawei’s “six-dimensions of reliability” that are addressing Africa’s utility PV and energy storage system (ESS) challenges. He indicated that the three key factors driving the growing importance of these technologies in Africa include rich solar resources, the rapidly growing demand for energy access, and reduced commodity prices that are making solar technology more affordable. These factors drive transformative potential of solar power and battery ESS (BESS) across the continent.

Acknowledging these Challenges, Xia emphasised the importance of selecting a reliable original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partner for African utility developers and EPC firms. He expanded on the impressive six-dimensions of reliability principle, which is leaps ahead of the industry, to be regarded as a beacon for utility PV and ESS. In leading this principle, Huawei is a standout for its comprehensive reliability.

Company-Reliable: with 37 years of stable operations, Huawei boasts a diversified and resilient business portfolio, with a global presence in more than 170 counties and 200 000 employees.

Technology-Reliable: Huawei is backed by over 30 years of expertise in power electronics and digital technology, building a world-leading technology ecosystem, and invested over $23-billion in research and development (R&D) in 2023 alone, boasting over 114 000 dedicated R&D personnel to ensure that the company stays at the forefront of innovation.

Solution-Reliable: Huawei’s long-term, scenario-based solar and BESS solutions offers high yields, smart O&M, safety and grid-friendly strategies, providing better Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE) and Levelised Cost of Storage (LCOS).

Product-Reliable: The company has a track record of tested product reliability, evidenced by a host of successful projects such as the world’s largest 2.2 GW solar plant delivered in 2020, with availability of 99.99%. Huawei solutions provide customers with safe and stable technology which is benchmarked by Cell-to-Grid Safety.

Service-Reliable: With 25 years of service experience, local warehousing capabilities, and dedicated service teams in 27 countries, Huawei is a localised strategy OEM leader in Africa

Operation-Reliable: Huawei is deeply committed to corporate social responsibility initiatives, such as the TECH4ALL educational programme, and is dedicated to fostering local talent and driving economic growth across the continent.

By showcasing successful projects across South Africa, Ghana and Mauritius, among others, along with partners’ insightful sharing, Huawei also features a high proportion of renewable energy and power electronic solutions, and gigawatt-level ultra-large power plants, which is equipped with all architecture safety, all scenario grid forming, all lifecycle cost-effectiveness and all-rounder smart O&M.

Looking ahead, Huawei will keep innovating and working with local partners, industry players and industry organisations. “Huawei is rooted in Africa, committed to understand Africa, and is lighting up a greener Africa,” Xia ended.

Follow Huawei Digital Power Sub-Saharan Africa on LinkedIn for exciting news, updates and product launches: https://www.linkedin.com/company/huawei-digital-power-subsaharan-africa