By Sydney Mabalayo, the Strategy and Business Development Director
As we mark World Environment Day on June 5 and celebrate Youth Month throughout June in South Africa, we are reminded of the dual responsibility we carry: to innovate for environmental sustainability and to invest in the next generation of energy leaders.
This year’s World Environment Day, themed “Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience”, highlights how environmental sustainability is inextricably linked to our infrastructure choices. Meanwhile, Youth Month reminds us that the future is not just something we plan for—it is something we must actively build, particularly through equipping young South Africans with skills that matter in a rapidly transforming energy sector.
At SPM, our focus is clear: energy efficiency through innovative power maintenance is not only good engineering—it’s good environmental stewardship. We are proud to stand at the intersection of infrastructure renewal, environmental responsibility, and youth empowerment.
Power Maintenance: The Silent Driver of Environmental Impact
Power maintenance is often a quiet force in conversations about sustainability. But its impact is anything but small. In a country like South Africa, where more than 85% of electricity is still generated by coal-fired power plants, every inefficiency in the system equates to unnecessary carbon emissions, greater operational costs, and deeper ecological harm.
We tend to focus on building new renewable energy infrastructure, but maintaining existing systems efficiently is just as critical. At SPM, we specialize in proactive energy infrastructure management—from high-voltage maintenance to condition monitoring and diagnostics. Our mission is to reduce hidden inefficiencies, identify and fix performance losses, and ensure that every unit of electricity consumed or transmitted serves its purpose fully.
That means fewer breakdowns, fewer service interruptions, and more significantly, fewer emissions. Properly maintained power infrastructure contributes directly to carbon reduction and climate resilience. When you consider that inefficient transformers, outdated switchgear, and overloaded systems can waste 10–25% of energy, it becomes clear: energy efficiency starts with better maintenance.
The Energy Efficiency Opportunity in South Africa
According to global energy reports, South Africa still has a long way to go in realizing its full energy efficiency potential. Only a small percentage of the country’s total energy use is covered by efficiency measures. This presents a significant opportunity—not only for environmental gains but for economic recovery and job creation.
At SPM, we’ve seen this firsthand. For example, in large-scale facilities like mining operations or manufacturing plants, we’ve helped clients achieve immediate savings by simply optimizing their load profiles, updating aging electrical panels, and implementing predictive maintenance schedules. These kinds of operational improvements don’t just protect infrastructure—they reduce costs and emissions at the same time.
We consider this a “sustainability multiplier effect.” Each optimized system reduces reliance on coal-powered energy, avoids unnecessary generation, and lessens the overall strain on South Africa’s grid.
Technology as a Lever for Sustainability
Innovation plays a critical role in helping us meet these goals. At SPM, we are working on introducing embedded smart technology into every aspect of our operations:
- Real-time monitoring systems to identify inefficiencies and anomalies before they become costly breakdowns
- Artificial intelligence tools that predict wear and tear and recommend maintenance actions
- Thermal imaging, vibration analysis, and ultrasonic testing to detect inefficiencies that aren’t visible to the naked eye
- Cloud-based dashboards that give clients visibility into their energy consumption and environmental impact
These technologies will give our clients not just data, but actionable insights. They enable smarter decisions, better planning, and more resilient energy systems.
Crucially, this kind of innovation wouldn’t just benefit SPM or our clients—it will contribute to the country’s broader sustainability efforts and supports South Africa’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
Investing in Youth for a Greener Tomorrow
June is not only Environment Month—it’s also Youth Month, commemorating the vital role young South Africans have played, and continue to play, in shaping our national story. In the energy sector, youth development is more than an ethical responsibility—it’s a strategic imperative.
South Africa faces a high youth unemployment rate, yet we are simultaneously entering one of the most disruptive phases in the history of the energy sector. Climate change, digital transformation, and the energy transition are opening new frontiers. To seize these opportunities, we must equip our youth with relevant, future-facing skills.
SPM is deeply committed to empowering young South Africans with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities they need to thrive in a modern energy economy. We recognise that youth development is not only an ethical responsibility but a vital national economic priority. According to South Africa’s National Development Plan 2030, skills development and youth employment are critical levers for reducing inequality and ensuring sustainable economic growth. In the energy sector specifically, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has emphasised the need for a future-ready workforce capable of supporting the country’s transition to cleaner, smarter energy systems.
Recognising these urgent national priorities, SPM is actively building pathways for young people to gain meaningful exposure to the energy industry—whether through partnerships with educational institutions, on-the-job training, or platforms that encourage innovation and entrepreneurship. But our philosophy goes beyond simply offering experience. We aim to instil a sense of purpose. We want young people to see that their skills are not only valuable to a company or a client but essential to the future of our communities, our economy, and our planet.
This approach aligns with global trends in youth-focused sustainability leadership. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) notes that by 2050, the renewable energy sector alone could support up to 43 million jobs worldwide, many of which will require new skill sets and fresh thinking. South Africa’s own Just Energy Transition Investment Plan estimates that thousands of jobs will emerge in power grid upgrades, green hydrogen, energy storage, and maintenance—creating unprecedented opportunities for youth inclusion, if we act with intention.
At SPM, we ensure that this transition does not leave the next generation behind. By equipping young professionals with the tools to participate in energy maintenance, digital monitoring, and sustainability innovation, we contribute not only to job creation but to long-term energy resilience. We want them to enter this field with a clear understanding that their work matters—not just in technical terms, but as part of a broader commitment to environmental stewardship and economic transformation.
A Just Transition Needs Inclusive Energy Thinking
The South African government’s Just Energy Transition framework seeks to phase out coal dependency while creating new opportunities in the green economy. While this is promising, it will only succeed if inclusive, youth-centred strategies are embedded in it.
At SPM, we align with these national goals by creating career pathways in maintenance, sustainability, and smart energy operations. As we decarbonize and digitalize the grid, we must ensure that the next generation is equipped to operate it.
Inclusivity is also about geographic reach. We are working to expand our youth programs into underserved and rural communities, where talent is abundant, but opportunities are often limited. We believe that the green economy must be built by all and for all.
A Call to Action
Energy efficiency through power maintenance is a powerful, often underutilized, tool for climate action. But no single company or sector can solve this alone. It will take partnerships across government, industry, academia, and civil society.
We call on:
- Government bodies to enhance energy efficiency policies and incentives
- Private sector leaders to invest in clean technologies and training for their staff
- Communities and schools to promote technical and engineering careers to young people
- Youth themselves to step forward, curious and ready, knowing they are the stewards of South Africa’s energy future
Every kilowatt saved through better maintenance helps reduce our carbon footprint. Every young mind empowered with skills brings us closer to a just, green future.
Conclusion
On this World Environment Day, and throughout Youth Month, we are proud to lead with purpose at SPM. We understand that power maintenance isn’t just about equipment—it’s about resilience, stewardship, and legacy.
Through innovation, we make our systems smarter. Through youth development, we ensure our work has lasting impact. And through sustainability, we align ourselves with what the world—and South Africa—urgently needs.
At SPM, we are committed to ensuring that energy efficiency becomes a national habit, not just a corporate slogan. We invite our peers, partners, and young professionals to join us in shaping a greener, more inclusive future—one system, one community, one young mind at a time.
