In the build-up to this year’s Enlit Africa 2025, electromechanical equipment manufacturer and distributor Actom announced a slew of activities taking place at its stand.

“As a platinum sponsor to the event and as one of the largest manufacturers in sub- Saharan Africa, we look forward to using the event as not only a means to engage with existing clients but to highlight our newest developments,” says business development executive Mamiki Matlawa.

She adds that Actom, in collaboration with advanced solar energy solutions developer Sungrow, will unveil its new integrated solar inverter and transformer on Wednesday, May 21.

This “cutting-edge solution” combines two critical components into a single, streamlined unit, minimising energy losses, reducing installation complexity and ensuring “seamless integration” with existing grid infrastructure.

As solar PV plays an increasingly vital role in South Africa’s energy transition, Actom’s product development presents a significant step forward in addressing both technical and economic challenges in renewable power generation.

Actom affirms that this breakthrough technology will disrupt the industry, as combining solar PV inverters with advanced transformer technology will enhance efficiency, simplify large-scale solar deployment and optimise power conversion.

Actom Distribution Transformers divisional CEO Lee Mbenge says that, aside from the inverter, a significant portion of the solution can be designed and sourced locally, bringing convenience to aftersales support and minimising downtime when incidents occur.

“The shortfall in generation capacity has created an opportunity for cleaner, greener alternative energy sources and PV is one of them,” he elaborates, adding that the integrated inverter solution minimises the amount of work needed on site during installation, testing and commissioning, as most of those processes are completed during manufacturing.

Additionally, this solution is a plug-and-play model, thus reducing the likelihood of onsite installation being affected by erroneous wiring and flawed integration.

“The entire project was novel to Actom Distribution Transformers and a lot of lessons were learnt, and there is still so much room for more development and further improvement,” he says.

Further Offerings

Matlawa says, in addition to the transformer launch, Actom will also launch its new service product offering aimed at data centres.

“This division will assist in fully equipping data centres in South Africa and was conceptualised when the sector’s burgeoning growth was realised,” she enthuses.

Further, Actom will introduce its Engineering Projects and Contract Division, which will better engage with Actom clients on their main transmission station building services, instrumentation and electrical cabling, and switchgear installation needs.

Additionally, for the more ‘tech-savvy’ guests, a virtual reality space will be set up, enabling guests to “walk through” Actom’s technology offering, strengthening brand awareness of the company’s technological capabilities.

Challenging Event

Matlawa notes that – in line with the group’s safety-focus – Actom has engaged with the stand builders and developers that will construct its Enlit stand.

This includes ensuring that the entire stand is prepared, inspected and ready for the opening day.

Actom will be moving a range of its products from its Gauteng-based manufacturing plants to showcase at the Cape Town event, she says, adding “this has posed a range of challenges which we are ready to face if they should arise”.

“Unfortunately, the size of the new transformer means we cannot have one at the stand, but we will have a three-dimensional scale model of one for clients to see and interrogate,” she says.

She concludes that not only will about 40 staff members and technicians from Actom’s various divisions be on hand to assist and engage with clients, but its group CEO and MD are also expected to attend, alongside other higher-ranking executives.