At the event, Trinasolar is showcasing a range of advanced technologies supporting the next phase of solar deployment, including the Vertex N 750W module, Elementa 3 energy storage system, TrinaTracker Vanguard 1P tracking system, and Trinabot automation technologies. Together, these solutions help developers, EPCs, and energy providers optimize project performance, improve system reliability, and deliver cost-effective renewable energy across utility-scale, commercial and industrial (C&I), and hybrid solar-plus-storage projects.

Trinasolar’s participation in the event comes at a time when the company continues to strengthen its leadership position in South Africa’s solar market, where it currently holds the #1 market share position. One of the milestones reflecting this momentum is the successful delivery of the 510MW Khauta Solar Project, one of the largest solar installations in South Africa. Located in Welkom in the Free State Province, the project was delivered in collaboration with WBHO, one of the country’s largest construction and EPC companies.

The project consists of two contracts completed simultaneously — Khauta South (352.5MW) and Khauta West (157.8MW) — reflecting the scale and pace of solar deployment in the country’s rapidly evolving energy landscape. Trinasolar supplied high-performance solar modules for the project and provided extensive commercial, technical, logistics and aftersales support throughout the implementation phase.

In addition to the Khauta milestone, Trinasolar continues to expand its collaboration with leading developers in South Africa, including a strategic partnership with Mulilo, one of the country’s prominent renewable energy companies. As part of this collaboration, Trinasolar has signed a contract for the 220MW Orkney Solar Project, further strengthening its presence in the utility-scale solar segment and supporting the continued growth of large-scale renewable energy projects in the country.

Beyond these milestones, Trinasolar continues to expand its presence in South Africa through a growing portfolio of utility-scale solar projects and strategic partnerships with leading developers. The company’s current and upcoming projects represent a pipeline exceeding 2 GW of solar capacity, underscoring Trinasolar’s role in meeting the country’s growing demand for renewable energy and strengthening South Africa’s evolving energy mix.

“South Africa is entering a defining phase of solar growth, driven by rising electricity demand, expanding energy wheeling frameworks, and the rapid scale-up of commercial and industrial projects. Trinasolar is proud to be at the centre of this transition — bringing together high-performance solar technologies, advanced storage solutions, and a proven track record of large-scale project delivery to help our customers build a more resilient and cost-competitive energy future.” said Zaheer Khan, Regional Director – South Africa at Trinasolar MEA.

In addition to its technology contributions, Trinasolar has also supported its project partners and surrounding communities through a range of initiatives. These include Wellness Day contributions, as well as community outreach efforts such as the sponsorship of soccer and netball uniforms for local programs. These initiatives reflect Trinasolar’s commitment to responsible project development and its role in creating a positive impact beyond energy delivery.

As Africa’s energy transition accelerates, Trinasolar remains committed to being a long-term partner of choice for developers, EPCs, and energy providers across the continent, delivering the technology, expertise, and project execution capability needed to drive the next wave of renewable energy growth.”

The report, Finance & Investment Industry Insights Volume 1 2026, provides a strategic roadmap for investors, utilities, and policymakers navigating funding of the continent’s infrastructure landscape.

As African economies face macroeconomic stress from global geopolitical volatility and rising energy prices, the need for structural investment is now more urgent than ever.

The publication arrives at a critical juncture, specifically addressing the R3.6 trillion to R4.2 trillion funding gap South Africa must bridge to achieve energy security and Net-Zero commitments by 2050.

“From the analysis in this Volume, there is no doubt that South Africa faces a critical capital ‘hump’ between 2025 and 2030,” notes Nicolette Pombo-van Zyl, Editor-in-Chief.

“Success here depends less on the global availability of money and more on the country’s internal ability to implement regulatory efficiency. However, regardless of closing the funding gap, end users must prepare themselves for higher electricity bills.”

Key Insights from Volume 1 2026:

Electricity market reform and tariffs
The volume provides a deep dive into how shifting to multi-market structures and wholesale trading is reshaping electricity bills. It explores the “tightrope” of achieving grid stability while moving toward cost-reflective tariffs, which in South Africa have already doubled in the last five years.

The evolution of sustainable finance
With the green debt market exceeding $800 billion globally, the publication distinguishes between “Green Finance,” for established solutions, and the emerging “Transition Finance” pillar for hard-to-abate sectors.

Carbon markets as an asset class
Driven by corporate net-zero commitments, the carbon credit market is projected to grow to nearly $24 billion by 2030. The magazine examines how “pricing the invisible” can make marginal projects bankable in emerging markets.

Venture capital & innovation
Despite an “AI shadow” that saw some non-specialist funds pivot away from energy, the report highlights the rise of “patient capital” and a 91% surge in venture debt value to $1.8 billion in 2025.

Critical minerals and “friend-shoring”
Following the 2026 Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington, the report analyses how new tariffs and strategic supply-chain alliances are redrawing the map for African producers.

“The time of a single electricity provider is ending,” states the publication. “The new system is moving toward a market with more players, more pricing options, and clearer decisions about who pays and how.”

Next investable projects
The volume also features an Investable Project Pipeline, showcasing high-impact initiatives such as the 394,000-hectare Rubeho Mountains Carbon Project in Tanzania, forest restoration in Nigeria, and innovative mineshaft pumped hydro storage in South Africa.

“The common thread through all these insights is a move toward maturity. Whether it is through smarter revenue collection, more nuanced sustainable finance, or using minerals as leverage, Africa is increasingly positioning itself as a strategic, rather than just a reactive, player in the global energy transition,” says Pombo-van Zyl.

Finance & Investment Industry Insights, Volume 1 2026 is now available for download at https://apo-opa.co/4sCPZKi

Italian energy major Eni and other international players have engaged in detailed geological studies across Sierra Leone’s offshore basin, underscoring rising confidence in the country’s hydrocarbon potential. Backed by enhanced 3D seismic reprocessing and basin-wide prospectivity studies, the PDSL is accelerating data-led de-risking efforts to unlock prospects such as Vega and attract fresh upstream capital.

A central focus for investors is the anticipated resumption of offshore drilling in 2026 – the country’s first campaign in nearly a decade. Following the conclusion of its fifth licensing round, which offered 56 offshore blocks, Sierra Leone is preparing to drill new wells targeting an estimated multi-billion-barrel resource base, supported by improved subsurface imaging and strengthened regulatory oversight.

Sierra Leone is also in the final stages of establishing its first state-owned national oil company, which will hold a mandatory 10% carried interest in all exploration licenses. The government is targeting an overall 25–30% participation in projects, balancing national value capture with competitive terms for international operators.

Downstream integration is also gathering pace, with the 105–126 MW Nant gas-to-power plant in Freetown, developed by Anergi Group and TCQ Power, expected to nearly double national generation capacity when it comes online in 2027. In parallel, PDSL is spearheading plans for Sierra Leone’s first refinery to reduce reliance on roughly 15,000 barrels per day of imported refined products.

“PDSL’s participation at AEW 2026 reflects Sierra Leone’s serious commitment to unlocking its offshore potential through transparency, strong fiscal terms and data-driven de-risking,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber, adding, “Their strategic vision aligns with Africa’s broader push for energy security, industrialization and investor partnership.”

With drilling set to resume, a national oil company nearing launch and integrated gas-to-power and refining projects advancing, Sierra Leone is entering a defining phase. At AEW 2026, PDSL is expected to present a clear message: the basin is open, the data is ready, and the opportunity is real.