The Matla-Urja Energy Conference held on 27 and 28 November at Wits Business School (WBS) gave rise to two significant agreements between South Africa and India.  These agreements relate to assisting Eskom with its power plant renovation and modernisation plans through training provided by India’s National Power Training Institute (NPTI) and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC).

The inaugural Matla-Urja Energy Conference was co-hosted by WBS and the Consulate General of India, Johannesburg and brought together top energy executives and industry leaders from both countries to discuss common challenges in the just energy transition, and explore investment opportunities.

“We share many challenges with India on the journey to the energy transition, relating to moving from a high carbon economy to a low carbon economy while addressing the major issues of unemployment and poverty. The conference was a convergence of two BRICS nations, ahead of next year’s G20 Summit in South Africa, to thrash out solutions and build strategic partnerships for the benefit of both our energy sectors,” says Professor Maurice Radebe, Head and Director of Wits Business School. 

During the conference, it was announced that India will be providing Eskom with a Powerplant Control Room simulator for training purposes in Eskom’s drive to renew and repurpose its power stations across the country. 

Speaking at the conference, Eskom CEO Dan Marokane said: “NTPC and Eskom are both state utilities with vast operational experience. There is much that we can learn from each other. Like South Africa, India has  been running coal operations for many years and I think if we come together we can really make magic in terms of performance on both sides.”

Later on at the  conference, another memorandum of understanding (MOU) was announced between WBS’s Africa Energy Leadership Centre (AELC) and the NPTI, an integrated power training institute that falls within India’s Ministry of Power. The agreement focuses on the skilling of youth in the energy sector, specifically in renewable energy, data analytics, transmission and distribution. 

“We can look forward to many short-term areas of collaboration between ourselves and the NPTI, such as webinars, student exchanges and joint training initiatives. However, I see huge potential for longer-term areas of growth, such as in research and working papers, sharing of regulatory and environmental policy best practice, and possible joint qualifications,” says Dr David Phaho, Director of the AELC.

Dr Tripta Thakur, Director General of the NPTI says: “We are excited at the prospect of building strong ties with the AELC, not only for the benefit of our respective energy sectors but for the benefit of the global energy transition as a whole. I believe this MOU will be start of a long and very productive engagement.”