South Africa sitting on a WAVE of untapped energy

South Africa’s expansive coastline is a vast untapped resource of energy, says international firm after positive feasibility test …

Feb 24, 2026 - 08:00
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South Africa sitting on a WAVE of untapped energy

South Africa sits on a vast expanse of untapped energy. With nearly half of our land mass ocean-facing (2 800 km), there is huge potential to sustainably harness the force of waves. This is the finding of Swedish technology company, Eco Wave Power.

The firm has just completed a positive feasibility study indicating the potential of South Africa’s abundant wave energy. More specifically, it says 8.3 megawatts (MW) is going untapped at the Port of Ngqura, Eastern Cape.

UNTAPPED WAVE ENERGY

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The Port of Ngqura’s breakwater edge is where the feasibility test was conducted. Image: Eco Wave Power

For context, the Port of Ngqura is South Africa’s deepest transshipment container hub, 20 km northeast of Gqeberha. Based in the Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ), it’s where Volkswagen South Africa exports many of its locally built vehicles from. And the port itself is operated by Transnet.

However, you may be wondering how much energy 8.3 MW is? Well, 1 MW is enough to power roughly 1 000 homes. Therefore, powerful enough to keep 8 300 homes up and running. By the standards of other power sources, a large nuclear reactor like Koeberg can create 1 000 MW, or 1 gigawatt (GW). So, it is fairly modest in comparison.

SUITABLE FOR ONSHORE WAVE ENERGY

Furthermore, the feasibility test was conducted in collaboration with the Africa Great Future Development Ltd (AGFDL). And the findings suggest the venue is suitable for onshore wave energy implementation at the port’s breakwater edge. Permitting assessments are now required before any installation proceeds.

Chief executive of Eco Wave Power, Inna Braverman, says this is an important milestone in the company’s entry into Africa. “The results demonstrate meaningful potential at the Port of Ngqura. And we look forward to working closely with our partners to assess how this project could progress. If it goes ahead, it will be the first wave power station on the continent of Africa,” she said.

SECOND PLANT IN EAST LONDON

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The innards of one of its wave power stations. Image: Eco Wave Power

Furthermore, the AGFDL has commenced discussions with leadership in East London to assess locations for a second potential wave energy power station. The Mercedes-Benz South Africa plant is based there and also exports cars all over the world.

Currently, Eco Wave Power operates grid-connected wave energy power stations in Israel, United States, Portugal, Taiwan and India. Its latest project is based in the Port of Los Angeles, in collaboration with Shell Marine Renewable Energy.

But what do you think? Is South Africa sitting on a veritable wave of untapped energy? Let us know in the comments section below …

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