01
Late 1990s
The beginnings of PowerGLF
NETGroup began developing demand-forecasting software in MS Access, already using spatial data to understand where electricity demand would grow.
Our story
Forecasting the future of electricity demand since the 1990s.
PowerGLF grew from practical utility planning work into a proven spatial forecasting platform, shaped by decades of collaboration across Southern Africa.
The team behind PowerGLF
Developed by Urban Automation
PowerGLF is developed by Urban Automation, a South African software engineering company specialising in custom-fit, location-centric software solutions.
Urban Automation combines software engineering with domain expertise to develop enterprise applications that support complex operational and planning processes. Its capabilities include web-based enterprise applications, GIS and spatial information management, system integration, data management and cloud-based solutions.
As the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of PowerGLF, Urban Automation is responsible for the ongoing development, maintenance and evolution of the platform. This provides PowerGLF customers with direct access to the product engineering capability behind the solution and supports long-term product continuity, enhancement and technical support.
PowerGLF reflects Urban Automation's experience in developing spatially enabled software: combining network, geographic and planning information in a governed application designed around the needs of its users.
The evolution
Methods endured.
Technology moved forward.
02
2009-2011
Built for regional planning
A utility client commissioned a deployable regional forecasting application in 2009. Its successful completion in 2010 marked a major milestone for PowerGLF, followed by regional rollout, training and support in early 2011.
03
2012-2020
A platform proven across utilities
Support continued through Aurecon and later Zutari, while PowerGLF was also adopted by BPC, SEC and ZESCO for long-term electricity planning.
04
2016-today
Experience carried into the web
Web-platform research began in 2016. Today, Urban Automation carries that work forward with original core team members in PowerGLF 4.
What has not changed
Principles behind every generation of PowerGLF.
The interface and architecture have evolved, but the planning philosophy remains grounded in spatial evidence, transparency and collaboration.
Place matters
Demand growth has a location, land-use context and relationship to the physical network. Forecasting should preserve all three.
Assumptions must be visible
Planners need to explain why a forecast changed and trace each result back to methods, source data and scenarios.
Planning is collaborative
A useful enterprise forecast is shared, controlled and reviewable across regions, disciplines and planning responsibilities.