JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, October 21, 2025 — As South Africa’s energy challenges continue to shape the national industrial landscape, the country’s commercial and industrial (C&I) sector is under increasing pressure to innovate, adapt, and invest in sustainable solutions.
From mining to manufacturing, energy-intensive industries are driving the transition from dependence on an unreliable grid toward a more resilient and self-sufficient energy future.
Amid this transformation, the EIUG Conference 2025 (https://apo-opa.co/47i0Ujc) stands out as a vital knowledge exchange platform for navigating South Africa’s energy challenges.
Taking place in Johannesburg, the event unites policymakers, industry leaders, and energy innovators to dissect practical strategies for achieving reliable and affordable power under ongoing electricity market reforms.
Addressing the Road to Energy Independence
According to Fanele Mondi, CEO of the Energy Intensive Users Group of Southern Africa (EIUG), “South Africa must accelerate its transition from energy insecurity to energy independence.
The C&I sector plays a catalytic role in this shift — not only through investment and innovation but by creating a resilient foundation for economic growth.
This event convenes the right people, ideas, and capabilities to make that transition a reality.”
With a program shaped around reform, innovation, and industrial sustainability, the conference focuses on the next phase of South Africa’s power market liberalisation.
Key discussions, led by Monde Bala, CEO of the National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA), explore how businesses can navigate regulatory changes and unlock grid capacity for long-term stability.
Showcasing Solutions to South Africa’s Energy Challenges
Highlighting real-world solutions, the conference showcases transformational projects such as large-scale solar wheeling, data centre energy optimisation, and renewable generation developments.
These examples underline how C&I-driven initiatives are helping industries decarbonise, enhance grid reliability, and ensure competitiveness in global markets.
Delegates can download the programme (https://apo-opa.co/4ockMv2) to review sessions addressing emerging technologies, from corporate energy storage to Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Gas-to-Power innovations.
With insights from the CSIR, SANEDI, NECSA, and the South African Oil & Gas Alliance (SAOGA), the conference offers an in-depth exploration of how these technologies can diversify the country’s energy mix and provide practical solutions to South Africa’s energy challenges.
Energy as a Strategic Enabler
Industry leaders at the EIUG Conference will redefine the role of energy — not merely as an operational risk, but as a strategic growth enabler.
Panel discussions on market design, energy trading, and corporate sustainability will highlight opportunities for industrial players to leverage power reform for growth and investment.
Global policies like the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) add a further layer of complexity for South African exporters in industries such as iron, steel, aluminium, and cement.
Expert contributors from TIPS, The Manufacturing Circle, and EIUG member companies will unpack trade implications and propose adaptive strategies to maintain competitiveness while aligning with international sustainability standards.
Integrating Water and Energy Management
A special keynote panel will explore the interlinkages between water and energy security — two critical factors in the C&I operating environment. As companies seek to build operational resilience, the session will offer frameworks for balancing energy usage with water efficiency to achieve long-term resource optimisation.
Event Details
The EIUG Conference 2025 is co-located with the C&I Energy + Storage Summit (https://Energy-StorageSummit.com), taking place from 4 – 5 November 2025 at The Maslow Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg. Watch the official conference video here: https://apo-opa.co/47hcQkX.
For registration enquiries, contact:
Vuyisa Mfobo – [email protected]
For sponsorship or hosted buyer application (https://apo-opa.co/42N0i3B) queries, contact:
Marcel du Toit – [email protected]
About the EIUG
The Energy Intensive Users Group of Southern Africa (EIUG) represents major energy consumers, advocating for policies that promote secure, sustainable, and competitive energy systems. Learn more at https://EIUG.org.za.
About VUKA Group
VUKA Group bridges Africa’s energy, mining, infrastructure, mobility, green economy, and technology sectors through content, events, and partnerships. As founders of WomenIN and Go Green Africa, and partners in The Global Trust Project, VUKA champions sustainable industrial progress. Visit https://WeAreVuka.com.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.
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