Demand for switchgear is growing fast in South Africa, particularly among mines and other industrial clients using medium-voltage switchgear. With annual compound growth rates of between 7% and 12%, SA is outpacing its industrialised peers and even demand across the wider Africa and Middle East regions.

A considerable amount of this new demand comes from the country's energy transition. From converting voltages for onsite motors to buying infrastructure for energy sites such as solar farms, mines are among the single-biggest buyers of switchgear. The mining sector has a particular demand for ruggedised, high-reliability switchgear backed by local support and parts.

"Industrialisation and energy investments are increasing demand for essential electrical components such as switchgear. We're also experiencing more demand for motor control centres and medium-voltage soft starters, as well as engineering solutions such as modular substations and e-houses. The mining houses are one of the biggest consumers of these products as they focus on building energy efficiency and independence," says Pervin Gurie, director of WEG Africa's Digital & Systems Division, ‌who also manages its local manufacturing operations.

Local energy equipment manufacturing

The South African market still imports most of its medium-voltage switchgear systems, which strains the ability to meet supply and service demands. A growing local manufacturing industry for components such as switchgear is responding to meet those demands.

WEG, which operates six factories in South Africa, is leading this local manufacturing expansion. It has been assembling switchgear, MCCs, and other products for several years at sites such as Heidelberg, Johannesburg. WEG is currently expanding local activities from assembly into more manufacturing, with the goal of 100% locally manufactured switchgear systems. It is also advancing testing to increase the voltage and ratings of its MCC systems.

"These investments follow WEG's strategy. South Africa has four WEG factories that produce products for customers such as mines, integrated with our design, engineering, and support branches. Even though we import components from WEG's home base in Brazil, as a company we operate with a global presence and continually look to establish more capacity and skills in our regional hubs," says Gurie.

Meeting value and support expectations

Customers expect modern products that are reliable and resilient. While imports can cover some of those bases, local manufacturing offers clear advantages, such as timely delivery, spare parts inventories, and cohorts of skilled technicians who provide installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting services.

"Africa's industrial customers want excellent products at good prices. But beyond that, they know the value of local expertise and support that they can only get from a proper end-to-end OEM. We design our manufacturing, parts distribution, and partner networks to deliver that value, and we're pushing innovation and efficiency to maintain and even lead international standards. That is the best way to serve local demand and compete against brands that primarily import finished products."