KEY POINTS
- ACTOM will showcase locally made BESS, lithium-ion batteries and switchgear at Electra Mining Africa 2026.
- Its Pretoria West facility now produces and tests batteries, inverters, transformers and MV systems.
- Rising grid instability and diesel costs are driving demand for local energy-storage solutions in South Africa.
ACTOM Static Energy, the energy-storage division of South African electrical equipment manufacturer ACTOM, is set to showcase locally manufactured battery energy-storage systems (BESS), lithium-ion batteries and switchgear at Electra Mining Africa 2026.
The company’s participation comes as South African mines and industrial operators increasingly look for alternatives to an unstable electricity grid, rising power costs and continued dependence on diesel generators.
ACTOM Static Energy was established following ACTOM’s acquisition of JUEL Batteries earlier this year. The acquisition has since been integrated into ACTOM’s Pretoria West campus, creating a facility where batteries, inverters, transformers and medium-voltage (MV) integration systems can be manufactured and tested at a single location.
The Pretoria West facility is expected to play an increasingly important role in ACTOM’s strategy to supply energy-storage solutions manufactured and tested locally.
The company says having production, integration and testing capabilities at one site allows systems to undergo in-factory testing before being released to customers.
This is particularly relevant for mining and industrial customers that require reliable power systems capable of operating under demanding conditions.
ACTOM Static Energy Managing Director Louis Heyns said demand for locally manufactured and tested energy-storage systems is contributing to the unit’s growth.
The shift also reflects growing interest among South African customers in locally supported alternatives to imported equipment.
Among the products ACTOM will display at Electra Mining Africa 2026 are lithium-ion batteries and BESS solutions designed for mining and industrial applications.
Battery energy-storage systems can help businesses manage power interruptions, reduce reliance on diesel generation and improve the way electricity is consumed across their operations.
For mines, where electricity is essential for processing plants, ventilation, pumping, material handling and other operations, disruptions to power supply can result in significant operational and financial consequences.
The availability of locally manufactured storage systems could therefore provide mining companies with another option for improving energy resilience while reducing exposure to grid instability.
Switchgear Designed for Challenging Mine Sites
ACTOM will also showcase the GELPAG MSS H solid-dielectric switchgear (SIS) at the mining exhibition.
The equipment has undergone IEC type testing and is designed for applications including containerised substations, photovoltaic (PV) collector substations and mine sites where space is limited.
Switchgear is a critical component of electrical infrastructure because it allows electrical circuits and equipment to be controlled, protected and isolated when necessary.
For mining operations, where electrical infrastructure may need to function in remote or physically constrained environments, compact and robust equipment can provide practical advantages.
The integration of JUEL Batteries into ACTOM’s Pretoria West operations marks an expansion of the company’s capabilities across the energy-storage value chain.
The facility now brings together the production of batteries and related electrical equipment, including inverters, transformers and MV integration systems.
The arrangement gives ACTOM the ability to combine battery technology with other components required to build integrated energy-storage and power-management solutions.
The company’s presence at Electra Mining Africa is therefore expected to highlight not only individual battery products but also its broader ability to develop integrated systems for industrial and mining customers. South Africa’s electricity challenges have increased the importance of alternative and supplementary power solutions for businesses.
Mining companies in particular face pressure to maintain continuous production while managing electricity costs and reducing their reliance on diesel-powered backup generation.
Against this backdrop, BESS technology is becoming an increasingly important component of energy strategies that combine grid electricity, renewable generation and backup power.
ACTOM’s focus on locally manufactured systems positions the company to benefit from this demand, particularly among customers seeking domestic technical support and locally tested equipment.
The development represents a positive signal for South Africa’s domestic battery-storage manufacturing capacity, but it does not directly indicate a change in lithium raw-material supply or pricing.
Instead, the development points to growing downstream demand for finished battery-storage systems and supporting electrical infrastructure.
No specific production volumes, sales figures or capacity targets were disclosed in the announcement.
The company’s participation at Electra Mining Africa 2026 will nevertheless provide an opportunity to demonstrate how locally produced BESS technology can support the mining sector as companies pursue more reliable, flexible and potentially lower-cost energy solutions.
Ultimately, ACTOM’s strategy reflects a broader shift within the mining industry towards combining battery storage, renewable energy and advanced electrical systems to strengthen energy security and reduce dependence on traditional backup power sources.
