Mining Indaba 2026: Hybrid Energy Moves from Conversation to Commitment

A quickfire Q&A with Juandré Pitout, Head of Business Development, RenEnergy Africa

Q1. What were the most dominant themes shaping conversations in mining energy?

Across the large exhibition stands at Mining Indaba 2026, renewables were front and centre - solar, wind and hydro were widely showcased from both a cost-saving and ESG perspective. The dominant message from major players was clear: renewable energy is now part of the mainstream mining narrative.

However, beneath the surface, there wasn’t one single unifying theme driving the event. It felt less like the sector aligned around a specific agenda and more like a platform for connection. The overarching atmosphere was about companies positioning themselves, building relationships and exploring future collaboration rather than debating a singular industry challenge.

Q2. How has the conversation around hybrid energy evolved compared to previous years?

There has been a clear maturity in the market.

Hybrid energy - solar, BESS and thermal integration - is no longer viewed as experimental or optional. It is now widely accepted as a strategic component of mine planning. ESG, sustainability, operational longevity and continuity are no longer peripheral considerations; they are embedded in board-level discussions.

Importantly, the resistance we saw in earlier years has largely disappeared. Mining operators understand how renewables work. They want solar and storage on site. The appetite is there.

The biggest constraint is not technological understanding - it is regulatory friction. Lengthy environmental approvals, permitting delays and internal government processes are slowing deployment. The market wants to move forward; regulation is what’s holding it back.

Q3. Are mining houses viewing energy primarily as cost saving, risk mitigation, or both?

It is absolutely both.

From a cost perspective, renewables remain the lowest levelised cost of energy globally. While pricing has stabilised internationally, it remains the cheapest long-term option available. For operations heavily reliant on diesel, hybridisation offers immediate operational cost relief.

From a risk perspective, reliance on a single energy source whether diesel or grid, is no longer viable. Mines require diversified energy strategies to reduce exposure to fuel volatility, supply disruption and grid instability.

There is also a commercial dimension: for example, a lithium mine using renewable energy may unlock tax advantages or ESG-aligned pricing premiums, strengthening margins and mitigating EBITDAR risk.

Technically, running renewables alongside diesel generation improves overall system efficiency and reduces stress on generator assets. Hybridisation strengthens both the financial and operational case.

Q4. What level of understanding did you see around battery storage and energy arbitrage?

Battery awareness is growing but it remains underdeveloped at scale.

There were more renewable players showcasing storage this year compared to previous Indabas. However, very few large-scale battery suppliers were visibly present. While operators are clearly interested in storage as part of a hybrid mix, the depth of understanding around energy arbitrage - Shift + Save - and advanced battery optimisation remains limited. Read more about Shift + Save: strategic savings through energy arbitrage.

Q5. Did you notice a shift in appetite for large-scale off-grid or hybrid installations?

Yes, significantly.

We spoke to major operators seeking 30–35 MW hybrid solutions because grid access is simply not available. In some cases, grid connection may only materialise in five to ten years which is longer than the investment horizon of the mine itself.

Running purely on thermal generation for 10–15 years is financially unsustainable. Large-scale off-grid hybrid solutions - combining solar, BESS and thermal - are increasingly being viewed as the logical pathway.

However, land availability presents real constraints. A 20 MW solar plant may require 20–30 hectares, while a thermal plant occupies significantly less space. Terrain challenges like rocky ground, mountainous areas also limit deployment.

This is where intelligent hybrid design becomes critical. Even partial renewable integration can materially reduce diesel consumption and optimise load balancing.

The dominant configuration discussed across conversations was clear: solar + BESS + thermal, with grid as supplementary where available.

Q6. You mentioned that the most meaningful conversations happened away from the main buzz. Can you expand on that?

The exhibition environment is energetic and product-led, yet the most meaningful discussions often take place in quieter, more intentional spaces.

The real value happened on the outskirts.

Smaller, intentional meetings - over coffee, dinners, industry events and private discussions - were where genuine strategy was discussed. These were not transactional conversations. They were honest discussions around operational pain points, funding structures and real deployment challenges.

In previous years, engagement felt reactive - waiting to see who approached the stand. This year was different. Meetings were booked in advance. Conversations were targeted. There was alignment before the discussion even began.

A focused approach to relationship building delivered far more traction than passive exhibiting. Strategic alignment, rather than broad networking, created meaningful momentum.

Q7. Where do you see the biggest opportunity for hybrid energy in African mining?

Junior miners present the most immediate opportunity.

These operators are establishing licenses, securing investor backing and building new operations from the ground up. If hybrid systems are integrated at this stage (even at 1–2 MW scale) it establishes an energy foundation.

As larger players acquire these operations, the energy strategy is already embedded. Being part of that journey early creates long-term strategic alignment.

Q8. What misconceptions about renewable or hybrid energy still exist?

The primary misconception is around speed of delivery.

While thermal generation can be mobilised rapidly, renewable projects face regulatory timelines such as environmental impact assessments, licensing, grid compliance - that can extend two to five years.

Technologically, there is no longer confusion about how solar works. Adoption is welcomed. However, battery storage, particularly around system integration and operational strategy, remains a grey area for some operators.

The challenge is less about belief in renewables, and more about navigating the regulatory pathway efficiently.

Q9. What should mining operators prepare for over the next 2–3 years in terms of energy strategy?

Energy availability will define competitiveness.

Grid infrastructure across Africa is not expanding at the pace required to meet industrial load demand. Even where generation capacity exists, transmission constraints limit access. In many countries, physically transporting electricity to site is a major bottleneck.

Fuel pricing volatility remains a concern. Diesel exposure carries ongoing cost and supply risks.

Hybridisation is no longer optional. It is essential.

A resilient mining energy strategy should combine:

• Renewable generation (solar, wind, hydro where viable)

• Battery energy storage

• Thermal generation as backup

• Grid integration where available and reliable

Renewables offer the lowest long-term cost of energy. Grid may follow, depending on its generation mix. Thermal remains the most expensive.

The future belongs to integrated hybrid systems. Our collaboration with Aggreko enables us to engineer hybrid energy strategies that blend solar, battery storage and thermal assets into commercially robust, performance-driven solutions. Mines that build diversified energy portfolios will reduce risk, stabilise operating costs and strengthen long-term performance.