Decarbonising the energies and chemical industry without the risk

Africa’s chemical and energy sectors are facing mounting pressure to decarbonize due to stricter ESG requirements, shifting investor expectations, and rising energy costs. Prevashen Naicker of Schneider Electric argues that companies should approach this challenge as a structured business transformation rather than a mere compliance exercise. By focusing on operational efficiency and digital integration, operators can reduce carbon intensity while maintaining safety and profitability.

Prevashen Naicker, Segment Director for Energy & Chemicals at Schneider Electric SSA, emphasizes that decarbonization in the chemical industry does not necessarily require immediate, costly greenfield projects or total plant overhauls. Instead, significant gains can be achieved by optimizing existing brownfield assets through digital monitoring solutions. For instance, Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Power Monitoring Expert can identify energy losses and system inefficiencies, potentially delivering energy reductions of between five and fifteen percent without requiring changes to core production processes.

Beyond initial efficiency gains, the digital transformation of industrial operations is cited as a critical driver for long-term sustainability. Modern automation platforms and advanced process control provide real-time visibility, allowing chemical operators to reduce flare gas, improve process yields, and lower energy intensity. Furthermore, the modernization of legacy distributed control systems (DCS) and the implementation of condition-based maintenance help identify equipment issues before they lead to failures, thereby avoiding the emissions and production losses associated with unplanned shutdowns.

The roadmap for African industrial operators should prioritize measurable operational improvements, using indicators such as carbon emissions per tonne of production and overall asset availability. Naicker suggests a phased approach that starts with low-risk efficiency initiatives before moving toward larger decarbonization programs involving hybrid energy systems. These future systems are expected to integrate grid electricity with renewable energy, battery storage, and green hydrogen, supported by AI and advanced analytics to manage increasingly complex industrial environments.