First India-South Africa Energy Conference Achieves Success with Pact for Future Power Professionals

The inaugural energy conference between India and South Africa wrapped up with a significant agreement to train future power professionals. The two-day event, named the Matla-Urja Energy Conference, was deemed highly successful by organisers. "Matla" means strength in Sesotho, and "urja" translates to energy in Hindi. Over 200 delegates participated, exchanging ideas on energy sector advancements.

Key Outcomes and Agreements

Consul General Mahesh Kumar highlighted the conference's achievements during a closing dinner. He noted the collaboration between Indian and South African businesses and academia. On the first day, academics and researchers from both nations discussed power sector reforms, future energy challenges, modelling, pricing, and socio-economic aspects. "It was a day full of wonderful insights," Kumar remarked.

The second day focused on practical business approaches to these issues. Kumar emphasised the overwhelming interest in the event, with both days being oversubscribed. This indicates vast opportunities in the power sector for all involved. He identified two main outcomes: a Memorandum of Understanding between India's National Thermal Power Corporation and South Africa's Eskom.

Training Future Power Professionals

The agreement allows Indian professionals to visit Eskom to explore priorities and opportunities for Indian businesses. Another outcome was an intention announced between the African Energy Leadership School at Wits Business School and India's National Power Training Institute to start training future power professionals.

Prof Maurice Radebe, Head of Wits Business School, highlighted how the conference helped delegates understand UN Strategic Development Goals aimed at reducing poverty and hunger. "Energy plays a key role in ensuring people do not go hungry," Radebe stated, underscoring the conference's significance.

Learning from India's Experience

Radebe noted that South Africa has much to learn from India's experience in renewables, financing, and infrastructure. "We in South Africa are still learning; India are doing," he said, stressing the need to bridge the gap between planning and execution. He advocated for locating such initiatives within BRICS membership.

Radebe concluded by emphasising the importance of continuing efforts to make BRICS successful. Initiatives like this conference contribute to BRICS becoming a formidable force in global geopolitics. The collaboration between India and South Africa is expected to yield significant benefits for both nations' energy sectors.