By Eamonn Ryan
At Solar & Storage Live Africa 2026, hosted at the Gallagher Convention Centre, the message from industry leaders was that energy can no longer be treated as a passive utility. It has become a defining factor in operational resilience, cost control and environmental responsibility. This is part two of a two-part series.
What emerges from this discussion is a growing convergence between energy systems and HVAC&R. © RACA Journal
The panel discussion – featuring moderator Agnes Mbeya: CEO Makko Brothers Credit; Jerry Dungu, head market and product development: ArcelorMittal; and Melusi Tshabalala, CEO Mesama Energy – focused on hybrid solar and storage systems in industrial settings, while the implications extend directly into the HVAC&R sector. In fact, as buildings become more energy-conscious and electrified, cooling systems are increasingly at the centre of the energy conversation.
For HVAC&R professionals, this evolving landscape demands a broader skill set and a more integrated approach. It is no longer sufficient to focus solely on thermal performance; understanding energy profiles, storage behaviour, and electrical integration is becoming essential. Cooling systems must be designed not only for efficiency, but for adaptability – capable of responding to fluctuating energy conditions and aligning with broader building strategies.
Decarbonisation adds another layer of urgency. As global markets increasingly prioritise low-carbon products and processes, the energy footprint of buildings and industrial operations is coming under scrutiny. HVAC systems, given their significant energy consumption, are a natural target for optimisation. Improving efficiency, integrating renewables and reducing reliance on fossil fuels are no longer optional, they are becoming prerequisites for competitiveness.
Looking ahead, the energy mix itself is likely to diversify. While solar PV and batteries currently dominate, there is growing interest in alternative and complementary technologies, from biofuels to more advanced hybrid configurations. However, as the panel made clear, adoption will ultimately depend on cost, reliability and proven performance. Industry players are willing to innovate, but only where the business case is compelling.
What emerges from this discussion is a growing convergence between energy systems and HVAC&R. The two can no longer be treated as separate domains. Instead, they are becoming part of a single, integrated ecosystem in which performance, efficiency and resilience are deeply interconnected.
For HVAC professionals, this represents both a challenge and an opportunity. Those who embrace the integration of energy and cooling – who understand not just how to condition air, but how to manage power – will be better positioned to navigate a future defined by uncertainty, constraint and transformation.
