From Power Crisis to Power Market EP.304

This week on Energy Unplugged, Caroline Still, Aurora Energy Research's Market Lead for South Africa, is joined by Jan Fourie, CEO of Mulilo.

Just a few years ago, South Africa's priority was clear: end load shedding. Today, the challenge looks very different.

As private investment accelerates and the South African Wholesale Electricity Market (SAWEM) begins to take shape, the industry is shifting its focus from simply adding megawatts to building a power system that can deliver reliable, affordable electricity over the long term.

Drawing on a front-row seat to South Africa's rapidly evolving power sector, Jan discusses why transmission has emerged as the industry's biggest bottleneck, how batteries are changing the economics of renewable energy, and why flexibility could become one of the most valuable commodities in the country's future electricity market.

The conversation also explores the role of patient capital, the evolution of power procurement, and whether South Africa has the opportunity to do something few countries have managed successfully: build a competitive electricity market while simultaneously transforming its generation fleet.

Main topics include:

• South Africa's transition from energy crisis to market reform

• Why transmission, storage and flexibility are becoming critical to the next phase of growth

• The role of batteries, curtailment and market signals in a changing power system

• How SAWEM could reshape investment, competition and electricity pricing in South Africa