Page 26 - EngineerIT June July Issue 2026

ENGINEERING

From adopters to originators:

Why South African engineers

need to dream bigger

By Justin Render

rtificial intelligence, digital twins, “Transformers have been around for more than 120 years,” he adds. “If you
automation, smart grids and look at a substation from 120 years ago and compare it to one today, it
AIndustry 4.0 have become familiar looks remarkably similar. The difference is that we can now connect those
topics in the energy sector. Earlier this assets, collect data from them and understand what they are telling us.”
year, at the Africa Energy Indaba, however,
discussions often came back to how Local data gives engineers a clearer picture of how equipment is
companies take these new technologies performing in the field. Instead of relying solely on inspections or historical
and apply them in ways that solve real- records, they can continuously monitor assets, identify recurring issues and
world problems. use operational data to improve future designs.

For Herman Maré, General Manager He adds, “Engineering teams are now using technology to analyse data and
Protection and Control at ACTOM (Pty) Ltd, streamline workflows. Legal departments can use it to review contracts and
the conversation begins with localisation. identify potential risks. Human resources teams can apply it to processes
As a locally focused manufacturer, the that involve large volumes of documentation and repetitive administration.”
company first considers how to adapt
technology to South African conditions “Many departments spend significant time on repetitive tasks. The starting
and incorporate it into local production point is understanding where people are spending their time and where
when partnering with international original technology can help improve efficiency, and the same principle applies to
equipment manufacturers (OEMs). infrastructure.”

That often begins with importing a One of the projects highlighted by Maré was a digital substation developed
complete product, but it does not end in Namibia through a collaboration between multiple engineering teams
there. According to Maré, the next step is and technology partners. The project combines conventional electrical
to determine which components can be infrastructure with digital monitoring systems that collect information from
manufactured locally, how local suppliers equipment throughout the substation.
can be brought into the process, and how
more of the value chain can be developed
within South Africa.

"Local solutions solve local problems,"
says Maré. "At the same time, job creation
boosts the local economy. New technology
now gives us the boost we need to bring
our focus inwards, and build South African
engineering solutions that set global
benchmarks, not the other way around.”

Discussions about AI often focus on
dramatic possibilities, but Maré sees
immediate opportunities in areas where
large amounts of information need to be
processed and repetitive tasks consume
valuable time.

26 | EngineerIT June/July 2026