Why Huawei Is The Right Partner For C&I Solar PV+ESS In Africa

Huawei Digital Power Sub-Saharan Africa FusionSolar gathered industry partners and key stakeholders from across Sub-Saharan Africa’s Commercial & Industrial (C&I) energy sector as they released an innovative product for the market, LUNA2000-215 Series, the World’s First hybrid air & liquid cooling C&I energy storage solution (ESS).

In his keynote address, Mr Xia Hesheng, President of Huawei Digital Power Sub-Saharan Africa Region, delivered a keynote focusing on the theme of “Growing and Thriving Together in the New Era of C&I”. He told delegates that this new era requires a mindset shift in how they assess the quality of the original equipment manufacturers (OEM) they work with.

“The “PSSOCT” Reliable Partner model will be essential as the landscape changes because companies will need to consider a partner who is Product-, Solution-, Service-, Operation-, Company-, and Technology-Reliable (PSSOCT),” said Xia.

This is the kind of OEM Huawei strives to be for its customers.

Xia said three key factors are driving the growth of Africa’s C&I sector: Unstable electricity supply, higher electricity prices (the average tariff increase from energy providers on the continent is more than 10%), and reduced commodity prices that are making solar technology more affordable over time (solar panel costs are now 52% lower and Lithium Carbonate prices have reduced by 85%). This has led to booming demand for C&I PV+ESS solutions in Africa. Xia foresees this shift transforming businesses from solely being energy consumers into becoming energy consumers and producers too.

In this era, businesses will unlock two kinds of value: reducing their electricity bills and fuelling a green energy transformation by supplying green energy to other smaller businesses. In this new era, C&I enterprises will be at the centre of driving sustainable development.

He went on to emphasise that diverse stakeholder roles in the C&I sector require an OEM that can offer flexible solutions and meet their priorities. These can include anything from having safe operations to providing a return on investment (ROI), and higher energy efficiency. Owners, Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) partners, Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) teams, and distributors can have their needs met by a reliable partner like Huawei.

Considering these complex needs, how should stakeholders make the right choice for a successful partnership?

Xia expanded on the “PSSOCT Reliable” framework which allows companies to assess OEM partnerships, in which Huawei is a standout for its comprehensive reliability:

• Product-Reliable: The company has a track record of testified product reliability, evidenced by a host of successful projects, such as the Golmud PV Plant, delivered in 2011 and has been in stable operations for 14 years; Up to now, Huawei has shipped over 620+ GW of Smart PV and remains the number one in shipments for the last 10 years.
• Solution-Reliable: Huawei’s scenario-based One Stop Solution offers advantages in synergy, delivery, and maintenance, which offers One Fits all, higher yields, easy installation & commissioning and smart O&M.
• Service-Reliable: Huawei underscores its unwavering commitment to reliability in service delivery through robust local capabilities and extensive experience. Its strategic local warehouses in 16 countries, along with dedicated spare parts centres and on-site warehouses for 10 projects, allow Huawei to maintain an efficient supply chain and minimize downtime.
• Operation-Reliable: Huawei contributes significantly to local economies, with tax contributions across 27 countries and over 3,000 direct employees, alongside more than 50,000 indirect job opportunities. Through these efforts, Huawei not only enhances operational reliability but also fosters sustainable development and community enrichment.
• Company-Reliable: Huawei’s reliability as a company is underscored by 37 years of steady operation and a diversified portfolio that spans ICT infrastructure, digital power, cloud computing, and advanced chip technologies with our core value of being Customer Centric as the main focus. Huawei’s robust business model and commitment to delivering reliable solutions is unsurpassed.
• Technology-Reliable: Huawei’s technological reliability is built on over 30 years of technical accumulation, with heavy R&D investment – an annual average of over 20% of turnover. Huawei is committed to pushing the boundaries of technology, delivering reliable and high-performance solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers worldwide.

Huawei FusionSolar C&I Innovative Product Launch

In closing, Xia emphasised that Huawei remains deeply committed to transforming and uplifting African industries through innovations and empowering social contributions. By providing access to power for those in need, and meeting industry needs, its initiatives aim to bridge the energy gap, ensuring that communities can thrive and develop sustainably.

As Huawei continue to expand its efforts across the continent, Xia shared the company’s core philosophy: “Rooted in Africa, Light up Africa.” This encapsulates Huawei’s dedication to fostering growth and opportunity in Africa. Together with partners, it is growing and thriving in the new era of C&I, to light up a greener Africa.