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

In a compelling keynote, Mr. Xia Hesheng, President of Huawei Digital Power Sub-Saharan Africa Region, highlighted Huawei’s “Six-Dimensions of Reliability”, that are addressing Africa’s Utility PV & ESS challenges. He indicated that the three key factors driving the growing importance of these technologies in Africa are; rich solar resources, the rapidly growing demand for energy access, and reduced commodity prices that is making solar technology more affordable. These factors drive transformative potential of solar power and BESS across the continent.

Acknowledging these Challenges, Mr. Xia emphasized the importance of selecting a reliable 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+ESS. In leading of 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 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 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 Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) and Levelized 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 2.2GW solar plant delivered in 2020, with availability of 99.99%. Huawei solutions provide customers with safe and stable technology which is benchmarked by C2G Safety(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 Localized strategy OEM leader in Africa
• Operation-Reliable: Huawei is deeply committed to corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, such as the TECH4ALL educational program, and is dedicated to fostering local talent and driving economic growth across the continent.

By showcasing successful projects across South Africa, Ghana, and Mauritius etc, along with partners’ insightful sharing, Huawei also features a high proportion of renewable energy and power electronic solutions, and GW-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 organizations. “Huawei is rooted in Africa, committed to understand Africa, and is lighting up a greener Africa!” Mr. 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