Rising electricity costs, market reform, wheeling and battery storage are putting energy decisions at the centre of industrial competitiveness

Johannesburg, South Africa – August 2026 – South Africa’s energy landscape is entering a new phase. While the country moves towards a more competitive electricity market, commercial and industrial businesses continue to face rising electricity costs, pressure to decarbonise and the need for greater operational resilience.

With Eskom’s 2026/27 tariff increase and continued reforms to the electricity market, businesses are increasingly looking beyond traditional electricity supply to wheeling, renewable PPAs, onsite generation, battery storage, energy efficiency and demand management.

The key question is no longer simply “How do we keep the lights on?” but “How do we secure reliable power while controlling costs and remaining competitive?”

That question will take centre stage at the C&I Energy + Storage Summit, taking place 28–29 October 2026 at The Maslow Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg.

From energy security to business competitiveness

Under the theme “Business continuity through power security,” the summit will bring together commercial and industrial energy users, project developers, investors, financiers, utilities and policymakers to address the practical challenges shaping South Africa’s energy future.

The programme will examine the threats and opportunities facing South Africa’s industrial sector, including rising energy costs, electricity-market reform, decarbonisation and infrastructure constraints.

A key focus will be the growing commercial case for battery storage. The “Energy Storage Beyond Backup Power” session will explore how businesses can use storage for energy arbitrage, peak shaving, demand management, renewable-energy firming and improved power quality – moving batteries from a backup solution to a potential strategic investment.

Practical solutions for South African businesses

The summit will also look beyond new generation, exploring how businesses can reduce energy costs through energy efficiency, operational optimisation, demand response and digital energy management.

For heavy industry, a dedicated session will examine how mining, manufacturing, cement and metals companies can integrate solar, wind and hybrid energy systems while maintaining reliable operations and competitiveness.

The programme will also address one of the biggest challenges facing new energy projects: infrastructure and collaboration between businesses, municipalities and utilities. Discussions will cover shared infrastructure, wheeling agreements, network constraints and how businesses can engage more effectively with public-sector stakeholders.

The conversation has moved beyond keeping the lights on

South Africa’s energy transition is becoming a business strategy. With electricity-market reform, renewable procurement, wheeling and storage creating new opportunities, businesses need to understand not only where their power will come from, but how they can use energy strategically to reduce costs, manage risk and remain competitive.

The C&I Energy + Storage Summit 2026 will bring those decision-makers together in Johannesburg to tackle these questions and explore what comes next for South Africa’s commercial and industrial energy market.

“The energy transition is adding more than adding megawatts; it is about building reliable, responsible energy systems that strengthen competitiveness and resilience. Businesses need solutions that combine renewable power, storage, efficiency and partnerships, while ensuring today’s infrastructure does not become tomorrow’s environmental challenge.”

28–29 October 2026 | The Maslow Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg

The conversation has moved beyond keeping the lights on.
Now it’s about making power work harder for business.