Dada Morero
1Min
South Africa
Oct 28, 2025
City Power’s two-day Energy Indaba in Johannesburg is focusing on building a sustainable and resilient energy future through innovation, partnerships, and investment in renewable energy.
City Power’s two-day Energy Indaba in Johannesburg is focusing on building a sustainable and resilient energy future through innovation, partnerships, and investment in renewable energy. CEO Tshifularo Mushava and Mayor Dada Morero highlighted progress in transforming City Power into a modern energy innovator committed to ending load shedding and empowering communities.
City Power hosted its two-day Energy Indaba in Johannesburg this week, bringing together policymakers, business leaders, energy experts, and community representatives to shape a sustainable and resilient energy future for the city.
The event, which started on Tuesday and concludes on Wednesday, focused on progress made since 2022 and the next phase of City Power’s transformation from a traditional utility to a modern energy innovator.
City Power Chief Executive Officer Tshifularo Mushava said the entity had made significant strides in keeping its promise to improve operations and transform Johannesburg’s power supply.
“When we first convened in 2022, Johannesburg stood at a difficult crossroads. Rolling blackouts, vandalised infrastructure, and public frustration dominated our landscape. In those challenging times, we made a promise that City Power would no longer remain a conventional distributor but evolve into a dynamic, future-focused energy business,” Mushava said.
She said City Power now generates, stores, and distributes power through a network of innovation and partnerships, achieving 87 percent of its annual targets and resolving 150 percent of prior audit findings. Mushava said governance had stabilised and confidence was being restored.
Through the Municipal Independent Power Producer (IPP) programme, City Power secured over 259 megawatts of new generation capacity and commissioned five solar farms. He said more than 1,300 homes were now powered through the Shalazile and Vukani microgrids.
“We will continue to expand renewable integration by onboarding additional IPPs and scaling community and rooftop solar generation across the city. Our goal remains to end load shedding and establish energy independence,” Mushava said.
City Power has invested R4.6 billion towards grid modernisation and infrastructure renewal, part of its R26 billion investment plan. Mushava said the entity had completed 18,000 maintenance orders and reduced low-voltage outages by 17 percent.
“We have secured R4 billion from KfW to accelerate these efforts. This investment positions us to build a smarter and more responsive grid,” Mushava added.
Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero said the Indaba marked an important moment for the city and the country. He said it was not an ordinary conference but a space to reimagine how energy is produced, distributed, and governed.
“This is no ordinary conference. It is a national call to imagination, a collective space to rethink how power is produced, owned, distributed, and governed in South Africa. What we face today is not merely an energy crisis but a crisis of imagination,” Morero said.
He called for transformation at a societal level, urging City Power to evolve from a conventional utility into a public innovation platform.
“To achieve transformation at a societal scale, City Power must evolve into a catalyst for the low-carbon economy. This means integrating digital grids and AI-based load management, introducing peer-to-peer trading models, and creating community energy trusts that reinvest profits into local development,” he said.
Morero said Johannesburg was aligning its energy programmes with national priorities under the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan and the National Infrastructure Plan 2050.
“I am delighted to confirm that Joburg has developed five solar farms. This confirms that Joburg is on the right path in reclaiming its status as the City of First. Together, we will not only power South Africa. We will empower it,” Morero said.
City Power board chairperson Makhosini Kharodi said the Energy Indaba represented more than dialogue.
“It reflects accountability in action. As the board, we remain focused on ensuring that City Power operates with integrity, transparency, and strategic foresight while advancing Johannesburg’s energy transition,” Kharodi said.
He said the board’s task was to strengthen governance and enable innovation to ensure financial sustainability and technological progress.
Communities also shared how the initiatives had improved their lives. Ward 52 Councillor Thapelo Radebe, who represents Zola and Mdeni, said the rollout of solar high mast lights had reduced crime and supported local businesses.
“The light has helped community members to be safe at night even during load reduction. I have noticed that entrepreneurs trade until late at night. We hope more will be rolled out,” said Radebe.
From Alexandra, resident Thulani Mandanzani expressed gratitude after his community received electricity for the first time in 20 years.
“Having electricity improved our lives. When there is electricity it means fridges are filled with food and families are cooking for their loved ones,” Mandanzani said.
Electric vehicle benefactor Ashik Mallgee from Valt Africa said the shift to electric cars would support cleaner energy. City Power’s Electric Vehicle Programme forms part of the City’s 10-Point Energy Plan, which aims to diversify energy sources and reduce emissions.
The first phase of the electric fleet rollout includes replacing internal combustion vehicles with electric ones. Charging stations are being installed across City Power depots and major routes in partnership with the Johannesburg Roads Agency.
To improve efficiency, City Power is piloting battery-swapping systems and establishing an e-Fleet Innovation Lab in collaboration with universities and technical partners. The Lab will focus on training a new workforce in battery management and electric vehicle maintenance.
Learners from the Energy Efficiency Demand Side Management (EEDSM) School Competition also participated. One learner, Reabetswe, said the programme inspired her to save electricity.
“Before coming across the competition I did not care about preserving energy. Now I am playing my part and I encourage my peers to do the same,” she said.
City Power Chief Risk Officer Sergeant Thela said the entity continued to fight against cable theft, vandalism, and illegal connections. He welcomed the recent 15-year jail sentence handed to a cable thief in Greenside.
“We are happy with the sentence. It sends a strong message that crime against infrastructure will not be tolerated,” Thela said.
The two-day Energy Indaba closes on Wednesday with further discussions on investment partnerships, technological innovation, and community-based energy solutions. City Power said it remains committed to ensuring Johannesburg stays powered and its residents empowered.
