Women remain underrepresented in senior leadership

A new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reveals that women make up 32% of full-time employees in the renewables sector, a figure that has remained unchanged since the agency’s first gender analysis in 2019.

Although the proportion is higher than in other energy industries, the findings show that meaningful progress towards gender equality in the sector has stalled.

The second edition of Renewable Energy: A Gender Perspective offers IRENA’s most comprehensive assessment yet of women’s participation in the renewable energy workforce and the barriers they continue to face.

The report warns that without stronger action to improve representation, the global energy transition risks being neither fair nor sustainable, potentially leading to labour shortages and limited diversity in leadership and decision-making.

Women remain underrepresented in senior leadership, holding only 19% of such positions. They make up 45% of administrative roles but just 28% of jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Representation is lowest at 22% in technical trades such as installation, machinery operation, and electrical work, which require vocational or technical training.

Gender disparity

“Advancing gender equality in the renewable energy sector depends on robust data, targeted policy interventions and active collaboration of all stakeholders. Our analysis is the only of its kind to fill this knowledge gap. Unfortunately, despite performing better than in fossil fuel industries, little progress has been made. The sector still has a lot of work to do. To realise the energy transition’s full potential, women must be recognised as equal partners and leaders in shaping the renewables-based future,” said IRENA director-general Francesco La Camera.

Systemic barriers continue to hinder women’s advancement at every career stage, from gender bias and cultural stereotypes to the challenge of balancing professional and caregiving responsibilities. Discriminatory practices and glass ceilings further limit their access to leadership roles.

In non-governmental organisations focused on off-grid and community-based projects, women represent around 35% of employees, suggesting significant potential for expanding their leadership and influence in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of universal energy access.

The study also identifies disparities between organisational types: women make up only 25% of the workforce in private enterprises compared with 48% in NGOs and 37% in government or non-commercial institutions.

The report calls for coordinated action across all levels. Governments should enforce non-discrimination laws, ensure equal pay, and integrate gender equality into climate and energy policies. Employers are urged to adopt flexible work arrangements, transparent recruitment, mentorship programmes, and safe workplaces. Educational institutions, trade unions, and civil society must also help dismantle stereotypes, expand opportunities, and promote accountability.

SOLA Group Springbok Solar Power Project, Free State. (Image source: SOLA Group)

The SOLA Group has announced the early and successful commercial operations date (COD) for the Springbok Solar Power Project, Africa’s first multi-buyer, flexible energy wheeling facility and the company’s largest project to date

Delivered ahead of schedule, the 195MW solar photovoltaic (PV) facility marks a breakthrough for large-scale renewable energy procurement on the continent. The project introduces a pioneering flexible multi-buyer platform model for large-scale solar PV in the region and is currently the only operational facility of its kind in Africa. It represents a major step forward in modernising South Africa’s grid infrastructure and sets a precedent for future developments, showcasing how innovative approaches can drive grid modernisation.

This is the fourth large-scale private wheeling project brought to commercial operation by SOLA Group, increasing its total operational portfolio to 464 MWp, the largest for private power contracts in South Africa.

Key highlights:

The facility delivers both long-term maximum savings and rolling PPAs with flexible contracting, offering a new market model that enables shorter-term, scalable agreements alongside longer-term contracts. The project is a first of its kind, allowing multiple corporates to procure power from a single plant under flexible contract lengths, making it Africa’s first multi-buyer operational project with short-term contract options. It also introduces the country’s first virtual wheeling power purchase agreement (PPA).

Amazon acted as the anchor buyer, with its long-term commitment playing a key role in unlocking financing and driving the project forward. Additional buyers include Sibanye-Stillwater, Sasol, Afrimat, Redefine, Old Mutual, and Vodacom.

As one of Africa’s first multi-buyer virtual wheeling solar PV projects, Springbok achieved COD ahead of schedule, reinforcing SOLA Group’s reputation for delivering projects on time and within budget. The facility has generated R375 million (approx. US$ 20.3mn) in local community investment and created 500 employment opportunities, while offsetting 399,000 tonnes of CO₂, underlining its role in expanding renewable capacity and supporting South Africa’s energy transition.

Designed specifically for multiple private corporate clients, this utility-scale facility is a milestone for the multi-buyer model in Africa’s energy landscape. Unlike traditional single-offtaker wheeling plants, the Springbok Solar Power Project combines long-term anchor contracts (with Amazon and Sibanye-Stillwater) and shorter-term agreements with seven additional companies. This innovative structure enhances flexibility and broadens access to renewable energy for diverse organisations across industries, fostering a resilient and inclusive energy ecosystem.

Other participants include Rio Tinto, Redefine, Old Mutual, Vodacom, Sasol, Afrimat, and BRM Brands, representing a wide range of sectors—from mining and telecoms to finance.

The project also delivers South Africa’s first virtual wheeling PPA with Vodacom, marking a key innovation for companies on Eskom’s low-voltage networks and within municipal areas to access renewable power. This enables buyers who previously lacked access to affordable bulk clean energy to benefit, even after maximising on-site generation capacity. Additionally, the project plans to supply power to the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) by October 2025, contributing to energy supply across neighbouring countries facing power deficits.

At full capacity, the Springbok Solar Power Project will generate ~430 GWh annually, powering 150,000 homes and offsetting ~399,000 tonnes of CO₂ each year, equivalent to planting 6.5 million trees. The project’s sustainability efforts are complemented by community initiatives worth over R375 million (approx. US$20.3mn), with 100% of workers hired locally and 49% classified as youth.

SOLA’s community programmes are focused on lasting social impact. The Sports Against Crime initiative offers structured, positive activities for local youth, while the sewing and fashion programme in Matjhabeng Municipality equips unemployed learners with vocational skills. In 2024, 47 participants graduated with recognised qualifications and received sewing machines to help them launch businesses or gain employment in the textile industry. SOLA will continue supporting local initiatives throughout the operational phase.

The launch of the Springbok Solar Power Project coincides with the global surge in renewable energy adoption—renewables now account for around 32–36% of global electricity generation, up from 29.9% in 2023. Combining scale, innovation, and community investment, Springbok exemplifies how South African companies can meet decarbonisation targets while reinforcing energy security.

Constructed through a joint venture between SOLA Group and WHBO, with funding from RMB, Investec, ABSA, Revego, and Ubuzwe, the project is a strategic success story that strengthens the wheeling model for future large-scale renewable projects and advances virtual wheeling and energy market reforms.

SOLA Group plans to build on this momentum with new large-scale utility projects set to begin in November 2026, incorporating Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). When integrated with solar power, these systems will provide a cost-effective and reliable alternative to wind energy, ensuring steady power supply and continued innovation in South Africa’s renewable energy landscape.

Delivering new power for Sadiola gold mine

Canada’s Allied Gold Corporation is launching a new energy programme at its Sadiola mine in Mali, which will incorporate additional gensets plus a hybrid power plant

It forms part of a wider expansion strategy, and represents a move to reduce the carbon intensity of operations at the mine.

The company will initially install additional state-of-the-art diesel generators and control systems, followed by a hybrid power solution, with the deployment of more efficient medium-speed thermal units, and a photovoltaic (PV) plant with battery energy storage systems (BESS) to meet the power requirements of the Phase 1 expansion at reduced costs.

Allied Gold has hired African Power Services (APS) to provide the power solution for the programme’s initial stages.

The first stage involves expanding diesel generation capacity by approximately 14 MW, which is expected to be completed by early 2026.

This will be followed by the installation of a PV plant with a peak capacity of approximately 35MW, paired with a 30 MWh BESS and a new control system integrated with the diesel generators by mid-2027, which is designed to supply approximately 40% of the energy requirements of the Phase 1 expansion.

In a statement, the mining group added that the systems will then be scaled up to satisfy the energy needs of the next phase expansion, providing Sadiola with a flexible power solution capable of meeting its ultimate power needs, while being self-reliant, efficient and cost-effective.

“Beginning early next year, Sadiola will significantly reduce its use of legacy diesel generators in favour of newer, more cost-effective units and control systems, aimed at reducing fuel consumption and increasing power generation efficiency,” the company noted.

“Over the course of 2027, this will be followed by the installation of the photovoltaic plant and related BESS, as well as medium-speed thermal generators, both of which are planned to be expanded further to match the energy requirements of the next Sadiola expansion.”

The introduction of the initial PV plant and BESS is projected to reduce energy costs by up to 20% compared to current costs, it added.

The additional PV and BESS capacity, as well as medium-speed thermal generators, is projected to further reduce energy costs by up to 45%.

Allied Gold noted that its projected operating costs will be comparable to the average costs expected for grid-supplied power with diesel backup, adjusted for grid availability in Mali.

The company added that cost improvements are expected to be modest in 2026 and then gradually increase with the deployment of solar and BESS in 2027, and then increase meaningfully with the introduction of medium-speed thermal generation in 2027 and 2028.

Additional thermal generation will be accompanied by the expansion of the renewable energy generation to a target peak capacity of up to 60MW for solar and 45 MWh for BESS, to supply the next phase of growth at Sadiola while preserving flexibility to produce additional power if required.

“The company has concluded that its power programme for Sadiola will provide greater reliability and certainty, which are essential for supporting uninterrupted mining operations without overburdening the grid system,” the statement added.

Elements of the power solution are expected to be financed through a combination of upfront and deferred payments, the company noted.

These modifications will allow Sadiola to treat up to 60% of fresh rock at a rate of up to 5.7 Mt/y in the modified process plant starting during the fourth quarter of 2025.

With the completion of plant modifications in the first phase, Sadiola is expected to stabilise and produce between 200,000 and 230,000 ounces of gold per year in the medium term, ahead of the next phase of expansion.

Read more:

Wia Gold outlines energy plans at Kokoseb mine 

Rolls-Royce powers Sibanye-Stillwater mine 

Wartsila signs gold mine power deal in Senegal

Meeting the needs of West African urbanisation safely

Electrical safety is non-negotiable in the urbanisation of West Africa, writes Ajibola Akindele MFR, country president, Schneider Electric West Africa

West Africa’s urban economies are experiencing noteworthy growth. From new residential estates to modern hospitals and hotels, construction activity is reaching impressive levels. Cities such as Lagos, Nigeria, Accra in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire’s Abidjan are expanding in both height and sheer footprint, driven by rising demand for housing, healthcare infrastructure, and commercial spaces.

However, there is also fundamental hurdle to cross, how does the industry ensure safety keeps pace with development. In some cases, infrastructure needs outstrip regulatory enforcement, and cost or time pressures may lead to shortcuts in installation practices.

And unfortunately, the results can be catastrophic: buildings that appear state-of-the-art conceal electrical vulnerabilities that pose risks to people, equipment, and long-term investment.

Imagine a luxury hotel undergoes renovations to add more rooms and conference facilities. Instead of using certified surge protection devices and arc fault detection systems, the cheaper, substandard alternatives are installed.

Within months, a power surge damages critical equipment and causes a small electrical fire in a utility room. And whilst no one is hurt, the hotel suffers reputational damage, financial losses, and unexpected downtime.

The real risks

Today, electrical safety isn’t just about ticking compliance boxes, it’s about protecting people, equipment and infrastructure.

According to the US’ National Fire Protection Association National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) home electrical systems are responsible for over 46,000 fires and nearly 400 deaths annually. In fast-growing markets like West Africa, where infrastructure expansion often outpaces enforcement, the risks can be even more prevalent.

Therefore, when taking a closer look at the electrical safety hazards, it poses the following, very real risks:

Fire hazards: faulty installations or overloaded circuits can spark devastating fires.

Equipment damage: overvoltage and surges can destroy expensive equipment.

Human risk: electrical shock remains one of the most serious hazards, with outcomes ranging from injury to fatality.

Electrical safety is the core of innovation

At Schneider Electric, safety is not an optional feature, it forms the very foundation of our business. We work hand-in-hand with builders, contractors, and electricians across Africa to ensure buildings are powered safely and sustainably from day one.

Our portfolio of electrical protection products is designed to meet the ‘three golden rules’ of safety:

Protection of people: residual current circuit breakers (RCCB prevent electrocution.

Protection of equipment: surge protection devices (SPD) guard against costly voltage spikes.

Protection against fire: arc fault detection devices (AFDD) reduce the risk of electrical fires caused by hidden faults.

Here, ranges like our Easy9, Resi9, and Acti9 Active modular range of circuit protection and distribution systems provide all-in-one protection that is accessible, reliable, and trusted by professionals worldwide.

Building trust through awareness

There is still a lack of awareness regarding the various electrical hazards and their resultant solutions. It is here that education is vital in building a marketplace that is safe and informed.

At Schneider Electric we are not only protecting equipment and property but safeguarding the humans that occupy it.

We are addressing this gap by: partnering with homebuilders and contractors to ensure they have access to quality products and training; educating electricians and consumers on the importance of certified electrical safety solutions; and supporting compliance with international and national standards, ensuring that West Africa’s rapid growth is also safe and sustainable.

In the end, developers, contractors, and governments in West Africa must work together to raise safety standards, and manufacturers like Schneider Electric are ready to provide the expertise and products to make that possible.

Read more:

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China's solar panel sales to Africa soar

Eskom launches renewable offtake programme