JUST SA KwaZulu-Natal - Bhekani Hadebe

In this episode of the Tips Podcast series, host Thobani K speaks with Bhekani Hadebe, Acting Senior Manager: HV Substations at eThekwini Municipality, about the practical challenges and opportunities involved in preparing municipal electricity infrastructure for South Africa’s Just Energy Transition.Hadebe discusses the importance of maintaining and modernising electricity grids so they can accommodate renewable energy, battery storage and the two-way flow of electricity between consumers and municipal networks. He highlights practical initiatives including installing solar PV at substations, exploring opportunities to repurpose existing infrastructure for renewable energy and battery storage, and building awareness among municipal staff and communities about emerging opportunities in the energy transition. The conversation also explores significant challenges, including maintenance backlogs, limited municipal funding, potential revenue pressures as customers increasingly generate their own electricity, and the employment impacts associated with moving away from coal-based energy. At the same time, Hadebe identifies opportunities for municipalities to procure electricity from independent power producers, diversify their energy supply and develop new approaches to tariffs and energy trading.The episode further examines the potential of microgrids, energy wheeling, electric vehicle infrastructure, green hydrogen and smart-grid technologies. Hadebe argues that modernising municipal electricity networks can expand energy access, create new skills and business opportunities, and build more resilient and flexible energy systems as South Africa transitions towards a lower-carbon future.