Africa stands at a critical energy crossroads. With a rapidly growing population and rising demand, how can the continent achieve a stable, sustainable power supply? In this exclusive interview, Thava Govender, a seasoned energy expert with nearly 30 years of experience in the energy sector in global leadership roles, shares his candid perspective on Africa’s energy challenges and opportunities.
Thava explores the urgent need for a continental “super grid” - connecting power networks from Europe through North Africa to South Africa - to unlock vast, untapped renewable resources like Congo’s hydroelectric potential. He highlights the importance of stabilizing the Southern African Power Pool to enable efficient energy sharing across borders.
Despite global moves toward renewables, Thava explains why coal remains a vital, though evolving, part of Africa’s energy mix, emphasizing clean coal technologies that balance environmental concerns with social and economic realities.
He also discusses how Babcock is directly contributing to maintaining and refurbishing power infrastructure, ensuring the continent’s energy transition is pragmatic and inclusive.
If you want to understand the real issues shaping Africa’s energy landscape - from grid stability and international collaboration to sustainable growth — this interview is a must-watch.