Eskom’s evolution sparks hope
30 April 2025
Editor's Choice
For decades, South Africans have associated Eskom with crisis rather than innovation.
However, a quiet transformation is underway, one that suggests the power utility is beginning to embrace creativity and technology in its approach to energy management and financial recovery.
“Eskom has long been criticised for its lack of agility and vision,” says Mark Allewell, CEO and founder at Sensor Networks. “For years, we’ve watched leadership changes justified by qualifications and experience, but rarely by creativity. Now, we’re seeing a shift, a willingness to explore non-traditional solutions, from smart meters to microgrids, that could redefine Eskom’s role in securing South Africa’s energy future.”
A key initiative is Eskom’s growing collaboration with municipalities to curb illegal connections and recover outstanding debt, which now approaches R100 billion. The case study with Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality demonstrated a proactive approach, recovering R2 billion while strengthening local governance over energy distribution. “Instead of treating municipalities as adversaries, Eskom is recognising them as partners in stabilising the grid,” Allewell adds.
Smart metering is another crucial step forward. With built-in anti-tampering technology, these meters can enhance transparency and efficiency in power consumption tracking. “Smart technology is essential, not only for Eskom’s operational control but also for consumers to better manage their own electricity use,” Allewell notes. “It’s time for South Africans to see themselves as active participants in energy sustainability, by using smart geyser devices, energy management apps on their cell phones, timers, and eco-friendly appliances to reduce reliance on the grid.”
A number of recent media reports have confirmed that Calib Cassim, Eskom’s CFO, shares this outlook. Cassim has made it clear that Eskom’s financial recovery and long-term sustainability depend on innovative, technology-driven solutions, and that smart metering offers a practical step towards stabilising our grid.
Eskom’s recent openness to alternative energy solutions signals a welcome departure from its traditional, centralised model. “For too long, Eskom has embodied the definition of insanity: doing the same thing repeatedly while expecting different results,” says Allewell. “Now, we’re seeing a shift towards smarter, more adaptive solutions that engage both technology and public-private collaboration.”
While no single strategy will solve South Africa’s energy challenges overnight, this evolution in thinking offers a promising step forward. “If Eskom can continue to embrace innovation rather than brute-force solutions, the future of power stability in South Africa may be more hopeful than we once believed,” concludes Allewell.
For more information contact Sensor Networks, +27 21 201 1168, www.sensornetworks.co.za
Further reading:
Barracuda commissions new IPC Class 3 aerospace facility
Barracuda Holdings
Editor's Choice News
The company has commissioned a new dedicated IPC Class 3 facility in Somerset West. and has concluded a new investment partnership that will provide the capital and management capacity required to scale operations.
Read more...
Engineering copper grain structure for high-yield hybrid bonding in 3D packaging
Testerion
Editor's Choice Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
The way copper grains are sized and distributed forms the metallurgical foundation of hybrid bonding, enabling lower bonding temperatures, greater reliability, and stable grain structures throughout integration.
Read more...
Understanding solder dross: causes and control strategies
Truth Electronic Manufacturing
Editor's Choice Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Dross formation is an inevitable consequence of wave soldering. It occurs when molten solder comes into contact with oxygen, forming metal oxides that float on the surface of the solder bath. Over time, this oxidation byproduct accumulates and must be removed to maintain solder quality and process consistency.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: Could X-ray lithography disrupt the economics of advanced chip manufacturing?
Technews Publishing
Editor's Choice
Advanced semiconductor manufacturing has reached a point where technical progress is increasingly constrained by economic reality, and the proposed use of X-ray lithography represents a bold attempt to reset these economics.
Read more...
Could the EU’s Cyber Resilience Act affect your electronics manufacturing business?
Altron Arrow
Editor's Choice
South African companies exporting IoT devices to the European Union face a significant regulatory shift with the Cyber Resilience Act becoming mandatory in December 2027.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: Resilience and innovation in South Africa’s electronics sector
Technews Publishing
Editor's Choice
For South Africa in particular, 2025 has been a year that highlighted the resilience and adaptability of our engineering community as we navigated shifting technologies and a fast-moving international landscape
Read more...
Powering the future of embedded control
Altron Arrow
Editor's Choice DSP, Micros & Memory
As the demand for intelligent, connected, and energy-efficient systems grows, embedded engineers are under pressure to design faster, smarter, and more secure products
Read more...
Is it time for Wi-Fi 7 in SA?
Technews Publishing
Editor's Choice Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Wi-Fi 7, the IEEE 802.11be standard also known as Extremely High Throughput, is the next-gen wireless networking standard designed to dramatically improve speed, latency, efficiency, and reliability.
Read more...
20 years of precision, progress and purpose – the Jemstech journey
Jemstech
Editor's Choice Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Twenty years ago, Jemstech began as a small, determined venture built on technical excellence and trust. Today, it stands among South Africa’s leading electronic manufacturing service providers.
Read more...
A new era in wire bond inspection
Techmet
Editor's Choice Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Viscom is developing a 3D wire bond inspection system that incorporates substantially improved sensors, a high image resolution, and fast image data processing.
Read more...
printer friendly version