Eskom hosts 3rd Clean Energy Conference as G20 Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG) side event, championing South Africa’s energy transition
Wednesday, 08 October 2025: Eskom, through its Research, Testing and Development (RT&D) department, proudly hosted the third Eskom Clean Energy Conference over two days as an official side event of the G20 Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG). The conference was held under the theme: ‘Advancing a Clean Energy Transition for Our Context – Just, Affordable, Accessible, Inclusive.’
The theme underscores a shared commitment to shaping pathways toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for South Africa and beyond. The event brought together national and international industry leaders, researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders across the energy sector, serving as a flagship platform for advancing practical and collaborative solutions in Africa’s clean energy transition, aligned with the G20 ETWG priorities.
Eskom General Manager for Eskom’s Research, Testing and Development, Prudence Madiba, emphasised the importance of knowledge-sharing and collaboration in driving innovation across the energy sector.
“The Clean Energy Conference provides a platform for industry experts and researchers to engage on the technologies, policies, and partnerships needed to accelerate the clean energy transition. It is through collaboration and innovation that we can chart realistic pathways toward a just and inclusive energy future for South Africa,” said Madiba.
In her opening remarks, Eskom Group Executive for Strategy and Sustainability, Nontokozo Hadebe, reflected on the evolution of the event.
“Given the changing energy landscape, it became necessary for this conference to evolve from the Eskom Renewable Energy Conference into the broader Clean Energy Conference. The event now highlights not only Eskom’s work but also innovations and contributions from across South Africa and beyond. It is designed to catalyse Africa-driven, action-oriented responses to the global clean energy transition, reinforcing the continent’s voice and leadership in shaping a sustainable energy future,” said Hadebe.
Eskom Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane, reaffirmed Eskom’s strategic direction and priorities, highlighting that energy security remains a central pillar of South Africa’s development.
“Eskom is well-positioned to support the country’s energy transition and economic growth agenda. Our focus is on ensuring a balanced energy mix that supports both affordability and sustainability,” said Marokane.
Marokane further emphasised that Eskom’s strategy is not about coal versus renewables, but rather about a measured and inclusive shift toward cleaner energy sources that ensures no one is left behind.
Eskom continues to advance its participation in the renewable energy sector, positioning itself as a leader in South Africa’s clean energy transition and reaffirming its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Notably, the Eskom Sere Wind Farm, fully commissioned on 31 March 2015, marked Eskom’s first large-scale renewable energy project. Located near Vredendal in the Western Cape, it contributes 100MW of clean electricity to South Africa’s national grid — powering more than 60 000 homes.
Building on this foundation, Eskom is scaling up its renewable energy portfolio through a dedicated renewable energy business, which will accelerate project deployment, targeting 2GW of construction-ready projects by 2026, expanding to 6GW by 2030, and ultimately reaching 32GW, including Green Hydrogen, by 2040.
The Eskom Clean Energy Conference continues to foster collaboration, innovation, and Africa-led action towards a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient energy future for South Africa and the continent.
ENDS
