Powering Change with Smart Innovation: Plentify's Journey in South Africa

In South Africa, households face a pressing challenge: high electricity costs and unreliable power at times, particularly for water heating. At the same time, solar energy often goes to waste during off-peak times, leaving clean energy underutilised. The country’s aging electricity infrastructure has led to escalating prices and frequent outages — factors that deeply affect daily life.

Enter Plentify — a bold, innovative force driven by the vision to transform the way South Africa consumes electricity. Founded in 2017 by a team that has experienced the country’s electricity crisis firsthand, Plentify emerged with a mission to reimagine energy efficiency and enhance grid stability. At the heart of their solution is the HotBot — a revolutionary smart device that transforms electric water heaters into intelligent, energy-optimising systems.

Transforming Solutions into Smart Devices

Launched in 2018, HotBot is more than just a gadget; it’s a game-changer. The device learns users’ water heating habits and optimises energy use by shifting demand away from peak hours and toward periods when clean energy is available. The result? Lower energy bills for users and a more stable electricity grid.

When the City of Cape Town sought solutions for its strained infrastructure, Plentify was ready. Through the Project Smart Geyser pilot, launched with GIZ and supported by EEP Africa, the company installed HotBots in 100 households. The strong results led to an expansion to 500 homes across new regions, including Hessequa Municipality, integrating solar load building into the solution.

The pilot demonstrated remarkable results: HotBot reduced peak electricity use by up to 80%, saved users up to 24% on energy bills, and doubled the utilisation of solar power. These outcomes not only proved the technology's value but also positioned Plentify for rapid growth. With continued success, the team grew from six to over 60 employees and secured major contracts across South Africa and beyond, with plans to launch in new markets like the UK, Portugal and Australia.

Investing in the Future Energy Workforce

One of Plentify’s key initiatives has been its investment in the next generation of energy professionals. As part of its EEP Africa-supported project, Plentify offered apprenticeships and internships to engineering students from the University of Cape Town (UCT). This skills development initiative plays a critical role in shaping the future energy workforce by offering practical exposure to vital topics such as energy efficiency — an area often overlooked in national strategies. By engaging emerging engineers in real-world applications, Plentify not only nurtures local talent but also supports the broader goal of achieving sustainable energy for all by 2030.

Public-Private Partnerships: A Catalyst for Climate Innovation

Public-private partnerships have been instrumental in the success of Project Smart Geyser. The collaboration between EEP Africa, GIZ, the City of Cape Town, and Hessequa Municipality created the enabling environment for Plentify’s innovation to be tested, validated, and scaled. These partnerships combine the policy reach and infrastructure of public institutions with the agility and innovation of startups, unlocking climate impact that neither sector could achieve alone.

Plentify’s bold innovation and commitment to inclusive, sustainable growth embody the spirit of transformative climate action. By integrating smart technology, clean energy, and skills development, the company is redefining what it means to power homes in a resilient, affordable, and climate-conscious way.