Africa’s energy transition: Are we making real progress?
In this episode:
What progress are we seeing from Mission 300?
Why the work behind the headlines matters for expanding energy access
What has changed in South Africa’s electricity sector
Renewables, batteries and the need for flexible power
The transmission challenge that still needs to be addressed
Why mines and other industrial users are investing in their own generation
How falling battery costs are changing the options available to large energy users
The Energy Situation Room is a Wärtsilä Energy podcast.
25 Sept 2026
Beyond the grid: Making energy access work for Africa
What does it really take to achieve universal energy access in Africa?
In the latest episode of the Energy Situation Room, we sit down with Rita Madeira from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and Louis Strydom from Wärtsilä Energy to explore one of the biggest energy challenges facing the continent today.
21 Sept 2026
Managing complex microgrid systems with modern tech
Microgrids, which are energy systems with limited or no connection to a larger national grid, face significant operational complexity when integrating volatile renewable sources like wind and solar. In this episode, we are joined by Market and Financial Analyst at Wärtsilä Energy, Ella Teperi. The conversation covers real-world examples including the QMM mine in Madagascar and the Aqualektra utility in Curacao, demonstrating how these integrated solutions enable customers to achieve decarbonization goals while maintaining grid stability and reducing costs.
21 Sept 2026
Is Gas the Key to Nigeria’s Industrial Future?
In the latest episode of the Energy Situation Room, Wale Yussuf (Managing Director, Wärtsilä Marine and Power Services Nigeria) joins Terence Mentor to discuss a strategic roadmap for the nation’s energy transition
21 Sept 2026
Decoding Tomorrow's Power: How Future Fuels Are Reshaping Our Energy Decisions
We sat down with Rasmus Teir, Director of Sustainability and Future Plant Concepts at Wärtsilä Energy, to explore the radical shifts coming to our power systems. Rasmus, a leading expert on future fuels, gives us the inside track on the decisions we need to make today to prepare for a decarbonised tomorrow. Rasmus emphasises that there is no "silver bullet" solution. The optimal energy system will be a hybrid mix of renewables and sustainable fuels, built on a foundation of high-level national or regional planning
21 Sept 2026
Is 2026 the year Africa’s energy transition hits overdrive?
“It’s chaotic, but it’s a good kind of chaos.”
That is how Mark Howard, Editor at African Energy, describes the current liberalisation of the energy sector in our latest episode of The Energy Situation Room.
We’re moving away from the narrative of state monopolies and into an era of "positive disharmony" where regulators, utilities, and IPPs are pushing the industry forward.
What’s fuelling this optimism?
⚡ Mission 300: A $50 billion push to electrify 300 million people by the end of the decade11.
⚡ Grid Liberalisation: Private transmission procurement is finally materialising in South Africa, Kenya, and Mozambique.
⚡ Market Liquidity: New opportunities for merchant plants and cross-border trading via power pools.
If you want to know what 2026 has in store for the industry, this is a must-listen.
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21 Sept 2026
Tackling Africa's Energy Challenges
"The lack of legacy infrastructure is an opportunity for Africa to develop the smartest grids in the world." - Marc Thiriet, Director of Wärtsilä Energy in Africa:
That's one of the key takeaways from the inaugural episode of the Energy Situation Room podcast proudly hosted by Wärtsilä Energy.
In this episode, Marc Thiriet, Director of Wärtsilä Energy in Africa, shares crucial insights from his discussions with industry leaders and experts across the continent as Africa is striving to close the 600 million person access gap while also managing a massive push for renewables.
We dive deep into the major challenges and solutions shaping Africa’s energy future and Marc shares his optimism, highlighting that financial institutions are starting to support gas/thermal projects that enable further renewable integration, and that national discussions are now taking place to simulate the smartest way to manage energy production for the next 20 - 30 years.
Listen now to get the full view of the energy situation in Africa and hear about the complex, hybrid solutions that are driving progress!
21 Sept 2026
ESR Teaser
We are about to open the doors to the Energy Situation Room, and you are invited to come in and listen to thought leaders from around the world talk about the current and future state of the energy industry.
The first episode of our latest podcast will be launched on the 13th November 2025, so make sure you search for "Energy Situation Room" wherever you listen to podcasts and subscribe so that you don't miss it.
Each episode we will tackle a new topic, from the technology that is guiding us to the decarbonisation of the energy sector to how we can ensure a steady supply of electricity for everyone.
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