​​​In a major advancement to South Africa’s renewable energy ambitions, Prof Craig McGregor, a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering at Stellenbosch University (SU), has been appointed as the first ACWA Power Chair in Concentrating Solar Power at Stellenbosch University. Prof McGregor also serves as the leader of the Solar Thermal Energy Research Group (STERG).​​

The prestigious Chair has been established in partnership with ACWA Power, a leading Saudi Arabian developer, investor and operator of power generation and desalinated water plants with significant CSP operations in South Africa, including the operational Bokpoort plant and the recently commissioned Redstone facility.The official launch of the ACWA Chair took place on Thursday, 21 August 2025, at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), with a programme that included a welcoming address by Prof Sam Tshehla, acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Strategy, Global and Corporate Affairs and representing the SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor at the event, an overview of the Chair by Prof Wikus van Niekerk, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, and an acceptance speech by Prof McGregor. Nandu Bhula, ACWA Power’s Country General Manager for South Africa, attended on behalf of ACWA Power.The appointment recognises Prof McGregor’s leadership in solar thermal energy research and his strong track record of bridging academic excellence with industry-relevant innovation. About his appointment, Prof McGregor says: “I am excited to work with ACWA Power to build on the operational experience from South Africa’s Bokpoort and Redstone CSP plants, advancing our research toward reliable 24/7 renewable solar power.”This appointment marks a significant step forward in strengthening South Africa’s capacity in renewable energy, particularly in the field of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) – a technology that remains vital to addressing the country’s energy needs due to its ability to store thermal energy and provide electricity even after sunset.Prof McGregor has led STERG since 2019, building on the university’s legacy of solar research excellence and industry partnerships. His work has helped position SU as a global contributor in solar thermal innovation, with collaborations including the DLR (Germany), Fraunhofer ISE, Sandia National Laboratories (USA), CNRS (France) and others. Under his leadership, STERG has achieved significant milestones:

• Graduated more than 70 postgraduate students in solar thermal engineering.
• Published over 80 peer-reviewed journal articles and conference papers.
• Developed and licensed Helio100, an innovative heliostat technology that completed successful field trials before being licensed to UK-based Odqa.
• Participated in several international research collaborations.

Commenting on the appointment, Prof Wikus van Niekerk, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, said: “Prof McGregor has been instrumental in aligning our research with the needs of South Africa’s energy sector. Through this Chair, we hope to sustain and expand our contributions to the success of local CSP projects, including ACWA’s Bokpoort and Redstone plants, and invest in the future of the Northern Cape. It is, therefore, essential for the local CSP industry that the University maintains the current momentum and retains the expertise we have established.”The ACWA Power Chair will receive the annual funding to support high-impact research, postgraduate student funding and regional capacity-building. Key focus areas include CSP plant modelling and optimisation, high-temperature thermal storage, dry-air cooling and medium-scale systems for industrial use.To ensure a strong regional impact, postgraduate bursaries will prioritise students from the Northern Cape, a full undergraduate engineering scholarship will be awarded annually to a student from the province, and the Chair will provide advisory support to the Northern Cape Government on energy policy and economic development.Emphasising the broader regional benefits, Prof van Niekerk added: “In fostering a skilled workforce and driving innovation, the ACWA Chair will become a pivotal force for the Northern Cape province’s economic growth, employment and technological leadership.“CSP remains uniquely suited to South Africa’s solar profile and energy challenges,” he continued. “This Chair ensures that the right research, people and partnerships are in place to realise its full potential and support South Africa’s transition to a more sustainable energy future.”FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES ONLY:Prof Craig McGregorDepartment of Mechanical and Mechatronic EngineeringStellenbosch UniversityE mail: [email protected]Photo: Prof Wikus van Niekerk, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering; Prof Sam Tshehla, acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Strategy, Global and Corporate Affairs and representing the SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor at the event; Prof Craig McGregor, Mr Nandu Bhula, ACWA Power’s Country General Manager; and Prof Sibusiso Moyo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies.​