Global engineering firm Hatch highlighted the urgent need for tailored energy strategies in Africa during a panel discussion at the Africa Energy Indaba 2025 in Cape Town, emphasizing the continent’s dual challenge of expanding electricity access while transitioning to sustainable power systems.
Peter Viljoen, Hatch’s regional director for energy in Africa, India, and the Middle East, joined industry leaders in addressing the complexities of balancing development priorities with decarbonization goals, as the continent grapples with stark disparities in energy access and infrastructure.
Viljoen outlined critical data during the summit: South Africa, Egypt, and Algeria account for half of Africa’s electricity consumption, while 600 million people 40% of the population lack access to power. Despite contributing just 4% of global greenhouse emissions, Africa faces pressure to adopt renewable energy frameworks often designed for more industrialized regions. “The transition must recognize unique contexts,” Viljoen said. “Ethiopia and Kenya rely heavily on renewables, but nations like South Africa still depend on coal. A one-size-fits-all approach won’t work.”
The discussion underscored the risks of intermittent renewable energy, exemplified by reduced hydropower output in Zambia and Zimbabwe due to low Zambezi River flows. Viljoen stressed the need for diversified solutions, including grid expansion, battery storage, and microgrids to bypass traditional infrastructure gaps. He cited mobile networks’ leapfrogging of landlines as a model for decentralized energy in rural areas, where 80% of the unelectrified population resides.
Economic realities also dominated the dialogue. With many African nations unable to subsidize energy costs, Viljoen warned that transitions must remain affordable to avoid excluding vulnerable communities. “Energy access drives economic growth,” he said. “Without reliable power, industries stall and poverty persists.”
The forum coincided with mounting scrutiny of global climate financing mechanisms, which critics argue often prioritize emissions cuts over developmental needs. While Africa requires an estimated $25 billion annually to achieve universal electrification by 2030, current investments fall short by nearly 40%, according to International Energy Agency figures.
Hatch’s participation reflects its ongoing role in shaping Africa’s energy projects, including grid modernization and hybrid power systems. The firm’s emphasis on localized solutions aligns with broader calls for equitable climate policies, particularly as wealthier nations lag on pledged funding. As debates over natural gas’s transitional role intensify, the Indaba highlighted a growing consensus: Africa’s path to net-zero must be as diverse as its nations and as urgent as its power deficits.
