How AI can optimise renewables integration

November 12, 2025

Dear subscriber,

Power systems are getting smarter but also more complex as renewable energy use grows. Managing the grids of the future will require powerful analytical tools. And AI seems like the obvious solution.

– Sammy Jamar, Editor

South Africa’s utility Eskom has signed a deal with the University of Pretoria to advance artificial intelligence (AI) applications in the energy sector. This comes as the integration of renewables grows, creating complexity that requires better systems to optimise generation, distribution and load management, and helping to improve system resilience.

  • South Africa has developed an AI policy that encourages the use of artificial intelligence to promote sustainability in agriculture, energy management and urban planning. 

  • At least ten other African countries, including Kenya, Egypt, Uganda, Ghana and Benin, have also created national AI strategies and policies, all recognising its potential in the energy sector.

  • Our take: Energy startups using AI are already drawing investor interest… Read more (2 min)

InfraCredit, a specialised local currency infrastructure credit guarantee institution, has provided Nigeria-based Ceesolar Energy with naira debt funding, co-financed by the Climate Finance Blending Facility (CFBF). The funding amount was not disclosed, but it will finance four solar hybrid mini-grids with a combined capacity of 760 kWp.

  • Local currency funding is gaining traction in Africa as energy developers look to avoid currency fluctuations. Institutions like the IFC are looking to increase local currency financing options.

  • Minigrid company Husk Power recently secured local currency funding of about $3.2 million, while leading off-grid company Sun King obtained the equivalent of $80 million in local currency.

  • Our take: Mini-grids need to go beyond basic electrification and finance productive use appliances… Read more (2 min)

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has provided an additional $40 million in equity to Infinity Power, an Egyptian renewable energy developer, increasing its total commitment to $141.5 million. This funding supports Infinity's subsidiary in developing 3 GW of solar and wind energy projects across Africa.

  • Since entering Egypt in 2012, the EBRD has channelled more than $16 billion into over 200 projects, making it the bank’s most active market in Africa.

  • Just last month, together with the Green Climate Fund, Proparco, and JICA, the Bank provided $74.1 million for a 200 MW wind farm in Ras Ghareb developed by Infinity Power.

  • Our take: North African grid are fast turning into a bridge between Europe’s finance and Africa’s growth.… Read more (2 min)

Rural Electrification Agency of Nigeria breaks ground on a 1 MW solar-hybrid mini-grid plant (Source: Abba Aliyu)

Events

🗓️ Register for the Africa Energy Expo 2025 (Nov 25)

🗓️ Be at the ESG, Impact Investing & Sustainable Finance Summit  (Nov 27)

🗓️ Attend the 4th Edition of Burundi Renewable Energy Access Days (Nov 27)

🗓️ Sign up for  the Renewable Energy Forum Africa (REFA) 2025 (Dec 3)

Jobs

👷🏻‍♀️ Apply to Bayes Consulting’s Energy Audit Lead position (Kenya)

👷🏻‍♂️ Vestas seeks a Service Technician (South Africa)

🦺 Join ZUTARI as a Business Improvement Consultant (South Africa)

Various 

💡 Pay-as-you-go solar adoption jumps 54% in Sub-Saharan Africa

💸 Carbacid to cut Kenya Power dependence by switching to solar

🟢 Africa Amanah Foundation brings solar borehole to rural Gambia

Seen on LinkedIn 

Oyindamola Sofoluwe, Channel Associate at Havenhill Synergy Limited, says, “Project finance is moving, but workforce, installation capacity, and implementation discipline will determine outcomes.”