Electricity and Control September 2025

Transformers, substations + the grid: Products + services

Focused on low-carbon and renewable energy globally

construction of a Main Transmission Substation for the national utility,” says de Drouas. “With around 40% of project value sourced locally and 1% of revenue committed to socio-economic development, our approach is rooted in sustainability, innovation, and partnership. “With proven expertise and technical capacity, EDF power solutions is equipped to support the national utility and stakeholders more broadly through the energy transformation. We anticipate further involvement in grid infrastructure as the country transitions towards decentralised generation and wheeling frameworks,” de Drouas adds. “We have seen rapid growth in the demand from private o•takers seeking to source their electricity directly from private players and IPPs like EDF power solutions. This shi‘ towards private sourcing introduces a range of new requirements for Eskom. It has always been, and remains, our intention to continue supporting the national utility in addressing the evolving demands of the energy transition, in the generation and transmission domains.” Hydropower potential in Southern Africa and Lesotho South Africa’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) highlights the commitment of government and the national utility, Eskom, to incorporating hydropower in the renewable energy mix. EDF power solutions notes that South Africa and Lesotho together hold significant hydropower potential, and it is positioning itself to play a leading role in this field. “EDF as a group has long been a leader in the hydropower industry,” says de Drouas. “In Africa, the Nachtigal hydro plant, which EDF power solutions built in Cameroon, became operational on 18 March 2025. This flagship project delivers 420 megawatts of power, supplying 30% of Cameroon’s electricity needs. It serves as a model that EDF power solutions intends to replicate across Southern Africa, with projects currently under construction in Malawi, Mozambique, and Madagascar. These initiatives demonstrate that we can lead the integration of hydropower projects into the region’s electrical systems. “As policies and frameworks for future hydropower development take shape, EDF power solutions is ready to contribute and is

EDF Renewables and EDF Group International Division have combined their expertise to form EDF power solutions. This strategic move consolidates international capabilities under a single entity

globally, strengthening the company’s ability to deliver integrated low carbon and renewable energy solutions. By leveraging its technological, commercial, and geographical synergies, the business is positioned to support partners and customers in regions where it operates as an independent power producer (IPP), with a strong focus on delivering decarbonised energy. “EDF power solutions is ready to support all existing and new clients as they transition to renewable energy – operating across 25 countries, with multi-technology expertise in wind, solar, hybrid, hydropower and pumped hydro storage, battery energy storage systems and biomass,” says

Tristan de Drouas, VP of EDF power solutions (Southern Africa).

Tristan de Drouas, VP of EDF power solutions (Southern Africa). For EDF power solutions, this step represents a significant shi‘ in the company’s operational approach. The EDF group is reinforcing its commitment to providing integrated, scalable, and flexible low-carbon energy solutions, tailored to meet the diverse needs of public and private sector stakeholders. With a gross installed capacity of 31 GW in its low-carbon electricity generation portfolio and 10 000 employees internationally, EDF power solutions delivers competitive, responsible, and value-driven projects that support decarbonisation and the development of more e•icient electrical grids in the drive to counter climate change. Supporting the evolution of South Africa’s energy sector EDF power solutions is playing a part in the unbundling and modernisation of South Africa’s energy infrastructure. “We are currently building 1.5 gigawatts (GW) of generation capacity in South Africa, on 11 renewable energy sites for both government and private clients. The projects are expected to come online between the end of 2025 and 2026. They include solar farms, battery energy storage systems, wind energy facilities, and the

Battery energy storage and the main transmission substation at Umoyilanga Dassiesridge.

24 Electricity + Control SEPTEMBER 2025