Huawei has successfully held the Fusion Solar Forum 2023 at the sidelines of the Africa Solar Show 2023 in Johannesburg.
Industry associations, sector organisations, industry leaders and experts gathered to share industry trends and insights and presented innovative solutions and best practices which will contribute to the development of the industry on the continent.
President of Huawei Sub Saharan Africa, Leo Chen, said that the quest for global carbon neutrality, energy security, and commercial value are driving the rapid development of a new international energy industry. Leo Chen indicated that in facing these challenges, Huawei as a leading ICT company, can be part of the solution. He said, “With a heavy investment in R&D, we’ve developed the most comprehensive set of technologies in ICT, and this forms our unique advantage.”
South Africa’s Electricity Minister Dr. Kgosientso Ramakgopa gave a keynote address at the forum, and commended Huawei for the role it is playing in infrastructure development in Africa and in greening South Africa’s energy systems. “Huawei is brining technological advancements and innovations that help us keep pace with the developed and industrialised countries in the global north.
“The South African government is looking for blended financial facilities for the funding of alternative energy installations, making it more accessible to more people. At the same time, the government will also broaden the flow of participation by upskilling people in the technology of renewable energy systems,”he said.
President of Huawei Smart PV Product Line, Chen Guoguang, said that, with Huawei’s innovative solutions, it has achieved a very impressive carbon footprint globally.
“By the end of 2022, Huawei Digital Power has helped our customers to offset 340 million tons of CO2 emissions, roughly the same as planting 470 million trees,” he said.
John van Zuylen, CEO of AFSIA (Africa Solar Industry Association), presented on the rapid adoption of solar technologies on the African continent, where almost every country now has some solar capacity.
In her presentation, CEO of the SAPVIA (The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association), Dr Rethabile Melamu, stressed the need to skill young South Africans to participate and take full advantage of the huge opportunities in this industry.
