South Africa has used a high-level investment conference in Beijing to showcase its long-term energy strategy and encourage Chinese companies to participate in one of the country’s largest infrastructure investment programmes.
Speaking at the South Africa-China Electricity & Energy Investment Conference, Minister of Electricity and Energy Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said the country’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2025 provides a clear roadmap for expanding generation capacity, strengthening transmission infrastructure and accelerating industrial development.
According to Ramokgopa, the plan creates approximately R2.2 trillion in investment opportunities through to 2039, alongside a R440 billion programme to expand South Africa’s electricity transmission network.
The minister said the investments are expected to support the addition of around 105GW of new electricity generation capacity and the construction of approximately 14,500 kilometres of transmission infrastructure, helping unlock further private-sector investment across the country.
South Africa seeks deeper energy partnership with China
Ramokgopa described South Africa as being at a pivotal stage in its energy transition, with opportunities extending beyond electricity generation to include transmission, renewable energy, green hydrogen and emerging industrial sectors.
He said the country is seeking long-term strategic partnerships that support industrial development rather than short-term commercial transactions, describing the approach as a new phase of cooperation between countries in the Global South.
Highlighting China’s leadership in renewable energy manufacturing, Ramokgopa noted that the country produces nearly one-third of the world’s manufactured goods, more than 80% of global solar photovoltaic modules, over 75% of lithium-ion batteries and around 60% of the world’s electric vehicles.
He said South Africa hopes to leverage China’s expertise, manufacturing scale and cost advantages to accelerate its own energy transition while expanding local industrial capacity.
The minister also argued that South Africa’s improved electricity supply, following the end of load shedding, together with ongoing market reforms and a competitive tariff environment, provides investors with increased confidence.
Looking ahead, he said expanding the national transmission grid will require investment at roughly five times current levels over the next decade to meet growing electricity demand and support new industries such as data centres and critical minerals processing.
Government highlights reforms and industrial opportunities
Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane told delegates that South Africa has moved beyond planning and is now focused on implementation.
He said investors can expect regulatory certainty, a diversified energy mix and a structured procurement pipeline covering electricity generation, energy storage and transmission projects. Marokane added that 96 investment projects are currently available.
Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau said broader structural reforms are further strengthening South Africa’s investment environment.
These include expanding private-sector participation in electricity generation, restructuring Eskom and establishing the National Transmission Company South Africa to modernise the country’s electricity market.
Tau also highlighted opportunities linked to industrial diversification, digital infrastructure, decarbonisation and the development of critical mineral value chains, supported by South Africa’s network of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and blended finance initiatives.
Representatives from POWERCHINA and the China Development Bank reaffirmed their interest in supporting South Africa’s energy development through engineering expertise, project delivery and innovative financing.
South African Ambassador to China Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba said the conference should produce practical outcomes aligned with the IRP 2025, while encouraging greater Chinese participation in the country’s energy transition and industrial development.
Source: Engineering News / South Africa-China Electricity & Energy Investment Conference