Maureen Phiri
South Africa’s energy transition is placing new demands on the construction sector. As the country expands its grid, integrates renewable energy and modernises infrastructure, construction companies are moving beyond traditional projects to deliver solar and wind farms, support grid expansion and work across Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) programmes central to energy security. This shift is changing how projects are delivered and the skills required on site. At the same time, the adoption of AI-driven tools is improving efficiency and risk management. However, the pace of change is exposing a gap between the skills available and those needed for modern, large-scale energy infrastructure. Closing this gap will be critical to supporting South Africa’s energy transition.
Construction has become central
Energy Month is an opportunity to recognise how the role of construction has changed. The sector is now directly involved in delivering energy infrastructure, from renewable generation projects to grid expansion and reinforcement.
The rollout of Transmission Development Plans (TDPs) highlights this change. TDPs focus on expanding network capacity in regions where new renewable projects are being developed while strengthening system stability and refurbishing ageing infrastructure. They also support the integration of alternative energy sources, including battery energy storage systems, and reduce dependence on coal-based generation.
