Eskom Unveils Modernisation Centre in Partnership with Huawei, Illuminating South Africa’s Digital Power Future

[Johannesburg, South Africa, 25 May 2026] On 18 May, the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Eskom/Huawei Modernisation Centre, jointly held by Eskom of South Africa and Huawei, was successfully launched. This partnership reflects a strong spirit of collaboration and a shared commitment to innovation, technology, and capability development. Huawei’s support has been instrumental in enabling the transformation of the Eskom Academy of Learning, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in Eskom’s learning, innovation, and modernisation journey. The Eskom–Huawei Modernisation Centre and Smart Classroom stand as tangible symbols of progress and partnership, reinforcing our commitment to developing a skilled, agile, and future-ready workforce.

The event was attended by senior officials including Honorable Minister, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Minister of the Department of Electricity and Energy of South Africa; Dr Mteto Nyati, Chairman of Eskom Board; Dan Marokane, Group CEO of Eskom; Dr Candice Hartley, Chief People Officer, Agnes Mlambo, Distribution Group Executive of Eskom; Bheki Nxumalo, Generation Group Executive of Eskom; representatives from Eskom’s Learning and Development team; as well as Will Meng, CEO of Huawei South Africa, and President, Huawei Smart Power Generation BU. Guests experienced the end to end digital power target network and smart classroom, marking a new phase in the intelligent upgrading of South Africa’s power infrastructure and the development of a local ICT talent training system.

Eskom & Huawei Unveil Modernisation Centre

The newly inaugurated Eskom/Huawei Modernisation Centre systematically demonstrates Huawei’s ICT capabilities in Transmission and Distribution, communication networks, smart substations, intelligent distribution systems (IDS), corporate digitalization, grid forming energy storage, as well as innovative achievements delivered in South Africa in collaboration with Eskom.

Equipped with a dedicated smart classroom powered by Huawei’s smart classroom solutions, the centre provides specialized training programmes for Eskom employees and South African youth covering power ICT, smart grids, cybersecurity and digital operation & maintenance. It builds a localized talent pool for power digitalization and lays a solid foundation for the sustainable development of South Africa’s energy sector.

In his address, Will Meng, CEO of Huawei South Africa, pointed out that Eskom serves as a critical pillar sustaining South Africa’s economy and securing power supply for businesses and residential users. Faced with multiple challenges across the power sector at present, digitalization has emerged as a core approach to improving operational efficiency and resolving industry bottlenecks.

Leveraging its ICT and digital energy technologies alongside proven global implementation expertise, Huawei will support Eskom’s upgrade toward safer, more efficient and smarter power operations. Going forward, the two parties will further deepen multi-faceted cooperation including joint technology development and talent cultivation, empowering the power industry through digital technologies.

In his address, Honorable Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa stated that modernisation of the power system and talent development are mutually reinforcing. The launch of the Eskom Modernisation Centre will leverage Huawei’s advanced technologies and talent development expertise to address the shortage of digital talents in South Africa’s power industry, enhance the safe and stable operation of power grids, ease the long standing load shedding crisis, and provide robust energy security for South Africa’s economic recovery.

Dr Mteto Nyati, Chairman of Eskom Board, pointed out that digital transformation is critical for Eskom’s reform and breakthrough. The completion of the Modernisation Centre and smart classroom not only strengthens grid operation capabilities but also cultivates next generation technical talents for the enterprise, representing a vital strategic move for Eskom’s future development.

Dan Marokane, Group CEO of Eskom, emphasized that Huawei’s end to end ICT and digital energy solutions are highly tailored to the practical needs of South Africa’s power grid. The partnership will drive full digitalization of grid dispatching, fault handling and operation & maintenance, significantly improving power supply reliability.

Agnes Mlambo, Distribution Group Executive of Eskom, said that the smart classroom will empower Distribution employees new skillset their digital skills, optimize distribution network operation efficiency, ensure stable power supply for industries, businesses and residents, and benefit households across South Africa.

As a core strategic partner, Huawei has fully participated in the overall construction of the Modernisation Centre, demonstrating the smart substations, intelligent distribution systems, digital energy solutions, cybersecurity assurance and a full suite of software and hardware for the smart classroom. Upon operation, the centre will accelerate the digital, intelligent and low carbon transformation of South Africa’s power infrastructure, continuously nurture local ICT talents, deepen China South Africa technical and talent cooperation in the energy sector, and support high quality and sustainable development of Africa’s energy industry.