2 March 2020: NEoT Offgrid Africa (NOA) has closed a receivables securitization program with Zola Electricity Côte d'Ivoire (ZECI - a joint venture between EDF and Zola Electric) which aims to equip more than 100,000 households with solar home systems in Côte d'Ivoire, mainly in rural and peri-urban areas. NOA, majority-owned by Meridiam, is the first investment platform to set up a receivables securitization program in the financing of off-grid energy projects in Africa. Its objective for this deal is to reach a portfolio worth 40 million euros.

Through this innovative financing mechanism, NOA enables ZECI to focus on the commercialization and deployment of clean energy supply solutions in remote areas. With its securitization program, NOA bears financial risks related to the “rent-to-own” scheme whereby customers can become owners of the solar kits at the end of the rental period. In order to reach a mostly unbanked population, payments are made via a mobile money platform.

NOA is leading the financial structuring of the entire project. As part of this operation, NOA has mandated Crédit Agricole CIB (CACIB), Société Générale CIB and Société Générale Côte d'Ivoire (SGCI) to arrange the financing, whereby SGCI has extended a loan in local currency (XOF) whose committed amounts will vary monthly depending on the characteristics of the client portfolio. The loan is guaranteed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and CACIB, while the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation will be in charge of monitoring the social and environmental performance of the project.

Solar energy is particularly suited to the African continent, being able to operate outside the transmission and distribution grids, thus making it possible to supply isolated households as well as entire cities. In its study "The Grid won't connect Africa but solar can", the consulting firm Kleos Advisory estimates that nearly 120 million households (approx. 600 million people) on the African continent do not have access to energy. With each household spending an average of $200 per year on energy services, the market for companies offering off-grid solar solutions for individuals is estimated at $24 billion.

“NEoT Offgrid Africa is really proud to have set up this first of a kind innovative financing scheme, stated Philippe Ringenbach, managing director of NEoT Capital. Financing needs for energy access in Africa are huge, but most of the times very challenging for private investors. This deal will surely position NOA as a key player for financing SHS and other off grid solutions (such as mini grids and C&I installations), enabling to provide much more energy access to people and industries in Africa.”

“We are delivering sustainable and resilient infrastructures and especially supporting energy transition and access to energy in Africa, as illustrated by the 15 projects we are developing, financing and managing on the continent, added Mathieu Peller, Meridiam COO Africa. With this project, led by NOA, we are contributing to the emergence of alternative financing methods and innovative solutions in the African energy sector, where demand, particularly in the offgrid sector, is very high.”

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About NEoT Offgrid Africa: NEoT Offgrid Africa (NOA) is an investment platform designed to support Africa's energy transition by addressing the issues of energy access and zero-emission mobility. Founded and owned by Meridiam (as majority shareholder), EDF and Mitsubishi Corporation, NOA provides its customers with innovative financing solutions to remove barriers to upstream investment, deployment of new technologies and commercial risk management. NOA is managed by NEoT Capital, which brings together a team experienced in financial structuring and clean energy solutions, and relies on international strategic partners to provide the financial and operational support needed to develop a carbon-free world.

About Meridiam: Meridiam is currently developing and financing 15 projects in Africa. All together amounting to more than EUR 3 billion of capital expenditures. Meridiam is strategic partner of 2020 Africa France Summit to be held in Bordeaux from 4 to 6 June 2020. Meridiam was founded in 2005 by Thierry Déau, with the belief that the alignment of interests between the public and private sector can provide critical solutions to the collective needs of communities. Meridiam is an independent investment Benefit Corporation within the meaning of French law. It specializes in the development, financing, and management of long-term and sustainable public infrastructure projects and assets in the three core sectors: mobility, energy transition and social infrastructure sectors. With offices in, Addis Ababa, Amman, Dakar, Istanbul, New York, Luxembourg, Paris, Toronto and Vienna, Meridiam currently manages 7 billion Euros of assets, and more than 75 projects and assets to date. Meridiam is certified ISO 9001: 2015, ISO 26000 Advanced by VigeoEiris and operates on a proprietary methodology in relation to ESG and impact based on UNSDGs.

27 February 2020: The Facility for Energy Inclusion Off-Grid Energy Access Fund (FEI-OGEF), managed by Lion’s Head Global Partners (LHGP), today announced a $10 million debt investment in d.light, a leading innovator of solar energy products.

“Last month at Davos we announced that d.light has officially impacted the lives of 100 million people. With this investment by FEI-OGEF, we will be in a position to bring reliable solar energy to millions more,” said d.light CEO Ned Tozun.

Commenting on the investment, Harry Guinness, Fund Manager for FEI-OGEF at Lion’s Head said, "d.light has built impressive PayGo SHS operations in Kenya and Uganda that leverage the firm’s diverse and high quality product line, robust supply chain infrastructure, innovative and effective retail model and best practice customer management systems. OGEF is excited to help the company scale up operations in critically underserved markets to maximise energy access impact. Our investment provides the working capital needed to scale up activities in particular in Nigeria, Tanzania, Zambia, and Ethiopia.”

“The majority of d.light’s customers in Africa have been able to leap-frog the grid entirely, which is particularly important as the world continues to grapple with the dangerous consequences of climate change” Tozun said. “Already d.light products have off-set the equivalent of the combined annual carbon footprints of Kenya and Uganda. We are excited to be working with investors like FEI-OGEF who realize the value and the opportunities of the solar energy market”.

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About d.light: Founded in 2006 at Stanford, d.light is a global leader in solar energy, dedicated to providing the most reliable, affordable and accessible solar lighting and power systems for people living in the developing countries. d.light currently provides distributed solar energy to households and small businesses in 70 countries and has impacted over 100 million lives. Innovative funding models have made d.light easily affordable, while sustainable designs have established confidence in the sustainability of solar energy. For further information about d.light visit www.dlight.com.

About the Off-Grid Energy Access Fund: The Facility for Energy Inclusion’s Off-Grid Energy Access Fund (FEIOGEF) offers flexible financing solutions to companies in sub-Saharan Africa that provide affordable renewable energy to communities living off the grid. The Fund invests via a range of debt instruments, including receivables lending, inventory finance, other working capital lending and unsecured corporate debt, in order to increase the availability of local currency debt and build the capacity of local capital markets. FEI-OGEF is sponsored by the African Development Bank, and received catalytic investments from the Nordic Development Fund, European Union, All On and KfW,which unlocked additional capital from public and private sector investors including the Global Environment Facility, Calvert Impact Capital and Prudential Insurance.

About Lion’s Head: Lion’s Head is a specialized investment bank based in London, Lagos, Nairobi and New York, which provides financial advisory and investment management services across a range of sectors, including agriculture, energy, financial services, and infrastructure with a focus on innovative ways to increase capital markets engagement for businesses and governments in sub-Saharan Africa. As a Fund Manager, Lion’s Head has approximately $500m AUM. In addition to the Off-Grid Energy Access Fund, Lion’s Head is the fund manager for the parallel FEI On Grid facility, offering debt on a project finance basis to developers, IPPs and other renewable energy platforms in Africa, and the African Local Currency Bond Fund, created by KfW and supported by FSDA and various DFI and private investors to anchor public debt issuances.

20 February 2020: Azuri Technologies announced its  Brighter Lives Initiative, aimed at bringing more rural women into the off-grid solar sector.

Azuri hosted its inaugural Women in Solar event at the British High Commission last night, where Azuri CEO Simon Bransfield-Garth launched the new initiative. The initiative will provide employment and training to 250 new female recruits.

Women currently make up 35% of Azuri’s rural workforce in Kenya. Azuri’s CEO said the company is committed to increasing female representation, with the objective that 50% of all new hires in 2020 will be women.

“At Azuri, we are committed to equality, fairness and respect and we recognise the solar energy sector offers women a source of well-paid employment with strong opportunities for career advancement,” explained Azuri CEO Simon Bransfield-Garth.

“We understand that empowering women brings huge benefits to our business and on the social front is critical to eradicating poverty and accelerating economic development.”

Azuri’s Brighter Lives initiative includes tailored recruitment specifically targeting rural women who are largely under-represented in the workplace. The company will deliver an enriched training curriculum across its regional training centres, which offer a flexible working environment with additional guidance given on balancing work with family duties and unlocking financial services previously unavailable to them.

The British High Commissioner, Jane Marriott said, “Today’s launch of Brighter Lives Initiative is a significant step towards supporting tackle some of the barriers women face. I am confident this Initiative will light the path for many more women to step up and change Africa’s future for the better.”

New recruits will be equipped with an Azuri Smartphone to help manage and track tasks and access learning and coaching tools. Female agents will also be invited to join internal social networks where they can connect with other women to learn, share and grow in their roles and responsibilities.

Through a partnership that commenced in 2018, leading consumer goods company Unilever’s Sunlight Brand will also add a boost to this initiative and reinforce its synergy with Azuri. The two firms came together to bring solar to millions of off-grid homes across Kenya, , offering modern goods and services to enhance family life.

Justin Apsey, Unilever East Africa CEO, commented, “Unilever welcomes Azuri’s Brighter Lives Initiative as we expand our Azuri-Sunlight partnership in rolling out renewable energy and sustainable solutions that respect gender equality. By creating and supporting opportunities for women in society and the economy, there couldn’t be a better way to lead in creating a brighter future for all Kenyans as we turn the world into a more prosperous place to live for everybody.”

The Brighter Lives Initiative also boasts a Mentorship Programme that supports women in developing their leadership potential.

Azuri’s Women in Solar Event, hosted at the British High Commission in Nairobi, was attended by representatives from the off-grid solar industry  who heard from women directly benefiting from off-grid solar, be it through employment opportunities, or freedom to enjoy other activities.

Azuri has been operating in sub-Saharan Africa since 2012 and has sold more than 200,000 systems to date.

In Kenya alone, Azuri has already invested around KES 2Bn to date with access to a further KES 2Bn in debt funding.

20 February 2020: Leading off-grid solar energy companies, governments, development partners, and investors this week agreed to further grow the off-grid solar market. The renewed commitment will accelerate progress towards universal access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy by 2030.

More than 1,250 participants from 75 countries attending this year’s Global Off-Grid Solar Forum and Expo (GOGSFE) in Nairobi called for more collaboration and investments to provide sustainable energy for the 840 million people currently living without electricity and an estimated 1 billion people who live with weak grid connections.

This year’s event was co-hosted by the Kenyan Government through the Ministry of Energy and was officially opened by H.E. The President of the Republic of Kenya Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta.

In his keynote speech, President Kenyatta said his government’s off-grid solar access initiative, the Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project (KOSAP), which is carried out with support from the World Bank, seeks to provide energy to underserved households and more than 800 public facilities, including schools and health centers, in 14 counties. “To achieve our electrification programme through off-grid solutions, my administration recognizes the importance of partnering with the private sector”, the President continued.

GOGLA’s Executive Director Koen Peters said: “It was a privilege to listen to President Kenyatta’s inspiring speech, encouraging other countries to follow Kenya’s lead in adopting the right policies to scale the off-grid solar market. The massive turnout of this year’s Forum is a testament to the impressive growth of the sector. The new partnerships and deals forged this week will help the industry reach millions of additional households.”

Over 85 exhibitors showcased their products and services at the event, highlighting off-grid solar as a power tool to reduce CO2 emissions, improve health and education, create jobs and income opportunities, helping consumers save money and improving their quality of life.

The conference dialogue was built around the findings of the 2020 Off-Grid Solar Market Trends Report, released at the outset of the meeting. A joint Lighting Global-GOGLA initiative, the report finds that the industry has grown to a USD 1.75 billion market, currently serving 420 million customers.

“It is exciting to see the power of entrepreneurial innovation that has driven these accomplishments," said Russell Sturm, Energy Access Lead for the International Finance Corporation, and one of the lead authors of the report. "With 12 years of experience supporting the market’s rapid ascent, our Lighting Global team will continue working toward the growth of the off-grid solar industry, as we mobilize the commercial finance critical to meeting the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG7) for universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy by 2030,” he said.

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About the Global Off-Grid Solar Forum & Expo: The Global Off-Grid Solar Forum & Expo is the world’s leading meeting of the off-grid solar sector. It is an initiative of the global association for the off-grid solar energy industry - GOGLA and the World Bank Group’s Lighting Global Program, with support from the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP). Find out more at www.offgridsolarforum.org.

About GOGLA: GOGLA is the global association for the off-grid solar energy industry. Established in 2012, GOGLA now represents over 175 members as a neutral, independent, not-for-profit industry association. Its mission is to help its members build sustainable markets, delivering quality, affordable products and services to as many households, businesses and communities as possible across the developing world. The products and solutions that GOGLA members sell transform lives. They improve health and education, create jobs and income opportunities and help consumers save money. To find out more, go to www.gogla.org.

About Lighting Global: Lighting Global is the World Bank Group’s initiative to rapidly increase access to off-grid solar energy for the 840 million people living without grid electricity world-wide. Lighting Global – managed by IFC and the World Bank – works with manufacturers, distributors, governments, and other development partners to build and grow the modern off-grid solar energy market. Lighting Global programs are funded with support from the Energy Sector Management Assistant Program (ESMAP), The Public – Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF), The Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Italian Ministry for the Environment, Land, and Sea (IMELS), and the IKEA Foundation. To find out more, go to www.lightingglobal.org.

18 February 2020: The off-grid solar industry has grown into a $1.75 billion annual market, providing lighting and other energy services to 420 million users and remains on a solid growth curve, a new World Bank Group and GOGLA report shows.

The 2020 Off-Grid Solar Market Trends report finds that the industry has made tremendous strides in the past decade. Since 2017, revenues from the off-grid solar industry continue to rapidly grow, increasing by 30 percent annually. To date, more than 180 million off-grid solar units have been sold worldwide and the sector saw $1.5 billion in investments since 2012. 

With 840 million people still lacking access to electricity, the growth of the off-grid solar industry is critical to meeting the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG7) for universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy by 2030.

“The off-grid solar industry is instrumental for achieving universal electricity access,” said Riccardo Puliti, Global Director, Energy and Extractive Industries and Regional Director, Infrastructure, Africa, at the World Bank. “We are scaling up our support to client countries by helping them leverage this potential through innovative and financially sustainable solutions,” he added.

According to the report, the sector would need an additional boost of up to $11 billion in financing. More specifically, the sector would need to grow at an accelerated rate of 13 percent, with up to $7.7 billion in external investment to companies and up to $3.4 billion of public funding to bridge the affordability gap.

“Only by crowding in commercial finance at scale can we reach the target of achieving universal access by 2030,” said Paulo de Bolle, Senior Director, Global Financial Institutions Group for IFC. “We are eager to work with our local bank partners in the more mature off-grid markets where commercial debt can drive the next stage of market growth.”

Trends demonstrate that companies are moving into new geographies and underserved markets as established markets become more saturated. These companies are also shifting towards larger, higher-margin solar home system sales in response to growing consumer demand for appliances and back-up systems.

“This report is another confirmation of the significant impact off-grid solar has already achieved, and the massive opportunity that remains going forward,” said Koen Peters, Executive Director of GOGLA. “The Market Trends Report shares details on where we stand, and where we should be heading next.”

The report summary of the biennial flagship report, which is published by the World Bank Group’s Lighting Global Program and the Global Off-Grid Lighting Association (GOGLA), in Nairobi at the Global Off-Grid Solar Forum and Expo where President Uhuru Kenyatta welcomed more than 1200 participants today. The full report will be available in March, 2020.

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About the Market Trends Report: The report summary of the biennial flagship report, which is published by the World Bank Group’s Lighting Global Program in cooperation with GOGLA and support from the Energy Sector Management Assistant Program (ESMAP).

About Lighting Global: Lighting Global is the World Bank Group’s initiative to rapidly increase access to off-grid solar energy for the 840 million people living without electricity world-wide. Lighting Global – managed by IFC and the World Bank – works with manufacturers, distributors, governments, and other development partners to build and grow the modern off-grid solar energy market. Our programs are funded with support from ESMAP, The Public – Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF), The Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Italian Ministry for the Environment, Land, and Sea (IMELS), and the IKEA Foundation.

About GOGLA: GOGLA is the global association for the off-grid solar energy industry. Established in 2012, GOGLA now represents over 170 members as a neutral, independent, not-for-profit industry association. Its mission is to help its members build sustainable markets, delivering quality, affordable products and services to as many households, businesses and communities as possible across the developing world. The products and solutions that GOGLA members sell transform lives. They improve health and education, create jobs and income opportunities and help consumers save money. To find out more, go to www.gogla.org. 

18 February 2020: Scatec Solar and partners have grid connected and reached commercial operation for 86 MW of the 258 MW solar power complex in Upington, South Africa. The 86 MW facility, known as Sirius, is expected to produce 217 GWh and will lead to the abatement of more than 180,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

“We are pleased to reach another milestone with the grid connection of our fourth solar power plant in South Africa, with a combined capacity of 276 MW. South Africa continues to be a very important market for Scatec Solar, and we are developing several interesting project opportunities both within the utility scale segment as well as our container based solar solution – Release”, says Raymond Carlsen, CEO of Scatec Solar.

The three projects in Upington was awarded in April 2015 in the fourth bidding round under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPP) in South Africa. Scatec Solar owns 42%, Norfund holds 18%, the surrounding Community of Upington 5% and H1 Holdings, a South African Black investor holds the remaining 35% of the equity.  The two remaining solar plants totalling 172 MW are expected to reach commercial operation within the next few months.

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For further information, please contact:

Ingrid Aarsnes, VP Communication & IR, tel: +47 950 38 364

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About Scatec Solar: Scatec Solar is an integrated independent solar power producer, delivering affordable, rapidly deployable and sustainable clean energy worldwide. A long- term player, Scatec Solar develops, builds, owns, operates and maintains solar power plants and has an installation track record of more than 1.3 GW. The company has a total of 1.9 GW in operation and under construction on four continents.

With an established global presence and a significant project pipeline, the company is targeting a capacity of 4.5 GW in operation and under construction by end of 2021. Scatec Solar is headquartered in Oslo, Norway and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ‘SSO’. To learn more, visit www.scatecsolar.com.

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act

February 2020: Miniplast Limited, a Ghana-based plastic manufacturing and recycling company, has signed a contract to buy electricity from a 704 kWp grid-tied solar photovoltaic plant that will be installed on their factory roofs in the Spintex Industrial Area of the capital city Accra. The plant will be installed and operated by Stella Futura Ltd under a Power Sales Agreement signed between the three partners. The investment will be made through a local project company majority owned by Empower Invest, the impact investment fund managed by Empower New Energy (EmNEW).

Miniplast is a leading manufacturer of industrial and household plastic products with over 30 years of experience in the sector. The scalable 704 kW solar PV installation, which is expected to be commissioned in July 2020, forms part of Miniplast’s sustainability initiatives to be more environmentally-friendly and reduce plastic waste in Ghana. Through this renewable energy contract, Miniplast, Stella and EmNEW will contribute to the annual generation of over 1100 MWh of clean energy, with an estimated 800 tonnes of CO2 saved per year – equal to about 24 000 tons of CO2 during the first 30 year of operations. The investment will further generate about 50 job years during construction and operation.

Nadim Ghanem-Pares, Deputy Managing Director of Miniplast Limited, says “We’re excited to install one of the largest industrial and commercial solar PV systems in Ghana. This project will not only lead to increased use of clean and reliable power, but it will also reduce our diesel consumption and lower our electricity costs. Furthermore, this will be a flagship project to promote the use of renewable energy within the Spintex Industrial enclave of Accra. Miniplast Limited will continue its investment in plastic recycling. We installed a third recycling line at the factory in the beginning of February, increasing our capacity to become the largest plastic recycler in Ghana. Miniplast’s dedication to environmentally sustainable initiatives first started with introducing a wide range of products created with 100% recycled materials to reduce the amount of plastic litter in communities, while also creating economic opportunities in lower income neighbourhoods.”

Francis Asante, CEO of Stella Futura Ghana Limited, said the contract demonstrates Stella’s leadership in structuring solar solutions to ease the burden of solar energy uptake by the private sector. He encouraged industry to take similar bold steps to incorporate solar technology into their energy consumption mix to reduce their reliance on the national grid, reduce energy costs, and contribute to a cleaner environment.

Terje Osmundsen, CEO of Empower New Energy, said the project is the result of a fruitful partnership between Miniplast as a forward-looking energy user, Stella as an innovative technology solution provider, and EmNEW’s unique impact investment platform: “By reducing the time and resources required to finance projects of this size, this project shows how our investment fund enables a faster uptake of local clean energy production in Sub-Saharan Africa". 

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About STELLA Ltd: STELLA is a solar energy company providing grid-tied and off-grid energy solutions. The company combines its unique knowledge of energy with smart technology, including state-of-the-art energy storage, to provide energy solutions to commercial and industrial clients. It also invests in social impact projects, including solar solutions for hospitals and schools in urban and rural areas of Ghana. Headquartered in Sweden, Stella has an operational focus in sub-Sahara Africa with a local presence in Ghana as its regional hub.

About Empower New Energy (EmNEW): Empower New Energy is an award-winning impact fund manager of the impact investment fund Empower Invest, investing in small and medium-scale renewable energy projects. This is Europe’s firstrenewable equity impact investment platform with a focus on Africa. The fund’s investors are Norfund (Norway’s development fund for emerging markets),  ElectriFI (The electrification financing initiative, funded by the EU) and a group of private impact investors. EmNEWs offices are in Oslo (Norway) and Nairobi (Kenya), with a representative office in Accra (Ghana).

About Miniplast Ltd: MINIPLAST LIMITED is an ISO 9001:2015 certified company and an industry leader for manufacturing industrial and household items. Everyone trusts in the sophisticated functionality, reliability, and interesting colour variety of their products. With over 30 years of experience, Miniplast Limited has repeatedly set the benchmark standards for the plastic industry. They are going to use their advanced technologies, skilled engineers, and dedicated employees, to now set high standards for the recycling of plastics.

VentureBuilder and the United States African Development Foundation (USADF) announced today (17 February 2020) their partnership to sustainably help scale up indigenous off-grid solar enterprises across Africa. With over 100 million African households still lacking access to modern energy services, this new partnership will support the development of off-grid solar enterprises to meet the demands of underserved populations on the continent. 

Under this new partnership, announced ahead of the Global Off-Grid Solar Forum, VentureBuilder will continue to pioneer its innovative business model by providing ‘patient’ early-stage capital and Enterprise Development Services to its local partners in Africa, while USADF will provide grant funding and local in-kind technical support to further strengthen the local partners’ ability to scale in less mature markets. 

VentureBuilder and USADF target the same types of African-owned enterprises that improve the lives of the most vulnerable and poor in Africa through investments and technical assistance to foster local economic development. VentureBuilder and USADF only consider enterprises that are legally registered in their country of operation, are locally-owned and -managed, and meet rigorous due diligence standards related to governance, operations, and fiduciary matters.  

Via their collaboration, VentureBuilder and USADF will streamline the sourcing, vetting, and post-investment support process. USADF will provide grant financing, while VentureBuilder will provide early-stage equity and a suite of Enterprise Development Services to off-grid solar enterprises. 

“We’re thrilled to announce this collaboration with USADF, given that have a shared mission to catalyze a new generation of indigenous off-grid solar businesses across Africa,” said Dan Murphy, Managing Director of VentureBuilder. “USADF’s grant resources will enable VentureBuilder to more efficiently deploy equity into partner companies, and our Enterprise Development Services will accelerate companies’ path to sustainable scale and impact”.  

“USADF is proud to partner with VentureBuilder to help local entrepreneurs thrive in the off-grid sector and increase their impact locally,” according to C.D. Glin, USADF President and CEO at USADF. “Our partnership with VentureBuilder will enable us to maximize our investments in Africa and reach underserved community enterprises.” 

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About VentureBuilder: VentureBuilder provides flexible, long-term early-stage financing as well as Enterprise Development Services to African-owned and managed distribution enterprises. VentureBuilder will catalyze a new generation of businesses that deliver affordable, reliable, and sustainable electricity access across Africa. VentureBuilder co-developed by Catalyst Off-Grid Advisors and Open Capital Advisors since 2017, leveraging both companies’ decades of experience in building, advising, and financing off-grid solar companies. The development phase was made possible with support from Facebook, who also committed additional financing alongside the DOEN Foundation, Shell Foundation, and USAID for VentureBuidler’s implementation phase. To learn more, visit www.venture-builder.com. 

About the United States African Development Foundation (USADF): The U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) is an independent U.S. government agency established by Congress to invest in African grassroots organizations, entrepreneurs and small- and medium-sized enterprises. USADF's investments promote local economic development by increasing incomes, revenues and jobs, and creating pathways to prosperity for marginalized populations and underserved communities. Utilizing a community-led development approach, USADF provides seed capital and local project management assistance improving lives and impacting livelihoods while addressing some of Africa's biggest challenges around food insecurity, insufficient energy access, and unemployment, particularly among women and youth. Over the last five years, throughout Africa, with an emphasis on the Horn, Sahel and Great Lakes regions, USADF has invested more than $115 million dollars directly into over 1000 African-owned and operated entities and impacted over four million lives. 

Contact:  

In Paris: Thao Fabregas: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

In Washington: Jarvis Holliday: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Website: www.venture-builder.com  

Website: www.usadf.gov  

LinkedIn: VentureBuilder | USADF 

Facebook: @VentureBuilderAfrica | @USADF 

Twitter: @VB_Africa | @USADF  

Schneider Electric Solar Spain S.A., the Spanish entity of the Schneider Electric solar business division has entered into a strategic alliance with Qbera Capital LLP, a leading asset management & independent advisory firm, to further support solar energy growth across selected frontier & emerging markets.

The Qbera-Schneider Electric Solar alliance provides a distinctive technical and financial proposition – further facilitating transition to net-zero carbon and specific UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

UN SDG 7 focuses on a global effort to achieve universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy by 2030. According to the recent Energy Progress Report, by 2030, there will still be about 650 million people without access to electricity, and 9 out of 10 of them will live in Sub Saharan Africa. Often the biggest hurdle to deploying renewable energy in Sub-Saharan Africa is the lack of holistic approach including financing and technology.

Following recent successes in the Commercial and Industrial (C&I) segment, particularly in Sub Saharan Africa, the alliance provides corporates with a one stop solution integrating technical, financing, digital and equipment solutions supporting clean energy transition across frontier & emerging markets.

The first round of projects of 15MW will be rolled-out across in Mali, Ghana and Burkina Faso. Additional deployments of over 60MW will further target six countries. Both parties have successfully focused on financing and developing solar energy & energy efficiency projects in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA), with potential to cover a greater part of all Sub Saharan continent.

“I am very excited about this new business model that has already materialized into the first success,” said Robert Immelé, CEO and Chairman of Schneider Electric Solar. “With this alliance, we are removing one of the biggest roadblocks in green energy deployment, aligning customer needs, advisory, technology and financing.”

“I am very excited about our alliance with Schneider Electric Solar. We continue to see an underserved market for solar across frontier & emerging markets, as such we are aiming to support a vast network of commercial and industrial companies with a complete solar solution,” said Ali Shafqat, CEO of Qbera Capital.

The alliance also deepens both organization’s commitments & tangible deliverables towards multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Nithio Holdings, Inc. (“Nithio”) is excited to announce the disbursement of its first debt facility to Winock Solar headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria. This financing agreement is the result of a partnership between Nithio and Solar Nigeria, a program funded by UK aid implemented by Adam Smith International that aims to accelerate access to solar power in Nigeria.

Nithio provides financing to off-grid solar energy companies through receivables purchases as well as corporate loans backed by receivables and inventory. Utilizing its proven credit scoring algorithms, Nithio is uniquely positioned to value off-grid solar companies’ portfolio risk and channel commercial and concessional financing at scale. Nithio targets a broad range of off-grid solar companies, with initial target markets including Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda and aims to scale beyond in the next five years.

“The successful execution of our first loan agreement is an important milestone in Nithio’s role to provide financing to off-grid solar energy sector,” said Hela Cheikhrouhou, Nithio’s CEO. “As the off-grid solar companies further scale and expands into new markets, Nithio helps investors improve their performance by leveraging geospatial data and predictive analytics to better manage energy users’ credit risk. Nithio serves as a conduit that allows investors to provide scalable funding to the off-grid solar sector in Africa, blending concessional and commercial capital to achieve sustainable future growth of the industry.”

Nithio supports both multi-country and local off-grid solar energy companies, providing access to much needed growth capital.

“We are excited to partner with Nithio towards providing off-grid solar access to a market of 37 million Nigerian micro-businesses. Lack of access to clean and sustainable energy is the bane of environmental, social and economic sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa. The opportunity is apparent, but the poor availability of data and capital makes it difficult to achieve scale. Nithio’s predictive data analytics will help Winock Solar and its industry peers to organize their deep knowledge of consumer behavior and climatic conditions to develop insight that can be utilized by investors and project developers to solve lack of access to energy in Sub-Saharan Africa.” Sanmi Lajuwomi, CEO Winock Solar.

“This is an important initiative to support emerging solar providers in the Nigerian market. The Nithio- Winock collaboration is in line with Solar Nigeria’s goal of expanding the solar market and consequently improving access for under-served households,” Bodunde Onemola, Programme Manager Solar Nigeria.

The U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) and All On have officially opened the application window for the 2020 Nigeria Off-Grid Energy Challenge, which will provide up to $100,000 in blended finance per enterprise for successful applicants. The 2020 application window opens on January 15 and closes on February 29, 2020.  The Rockefeller Foundation is also providing funding support for the 2020 edition of the program. 

USADF, a founding member of Power Africa established by Congress to support and invest in African-owned and led enterprises, and All On, an off-grid energy impact investing company seeded by Shell in Nigeria, established the Challenge as a multi-year partnership to identify and help scale innovative off-grid solutions to “power up” unserved and underserved areas in Nigeria. 

Now in the third year of the partnership, the parties will jointly provide funding to 100% African-owned and operated small- and medium-size enterprises that improve energy access through off-grid energy solutions spanning solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and gas technologies.  The enterprises may be developers of their own technology and/or acquiring and implementing technologies developed elsewhere. To benefit, applicants need to be legally registered in Nigeria, demonstrate the capacity to track and manage project resources, and operate in good standing with the local governments in their areas of operation. Up to $50,000 per selected company will be provided in the form of convertible debt, along with up to $50,000 of grant capital.   

Sixteen Nigerian companies have been selected through the 2018 and 2019 editions.  The winners of the 2019 Nigeria Off-Grid Energy Challenge were ICE Commercial Power, Sosai Renewables, Greenage Energy, Pirano Energy, Sholep Energy, Entric Power Systems, ACOB Lighting, NexGen Energy, and Protergia Nigeria.  In the first edition of the Challenge in 2018, the recipients were Prado Power Ltd, Darway Coast, Auxano, Eastwind Labs, Alyx, Creeds Energy, and iKabin.  

According to 2018 Challenge winner Ola Abraham, CEO of EastWind Labs, “The USADF-All On blended finance has enabled my company to profitably provide solar-powered Refrigeration as a Service (RAAS) to Ile-Ife, touching hundreds of families and businesses daily.  The USADF and All On due diligence process is brutally thorough. You'd think they want to deny you the funding. On the contrary; that's just the secret sauce for your business success. APPLY, COMPETE, WIN.”  

Aaron Esumeh, CEO of Enugu-based 2019 Challenge winner Greenage Energy, added, “The selection process for the USADF-All On Off-Grid Energy Challenge was very detailed and transparent, and winning the Challenge has inspired us greatly.   This opportunity will make us more impactful to society, providing electricity to the underserved.” 

To access the application form, visit: www.usadf.gov/off-grid or https://www.all-on.com/the-all-on-hub.html 

All general inquiries and applications should be sent to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

The application closes on February 29, 2020. 

The difficulties involved in implementing infrastructure projects in most Sub-Saharan African countries are well-known: political risks, cost of mobilizing capital, weakness of existing electric grids, inadequate assets management capacities, insufficient training of local authorities, insufficiencies with the regulatory frameworks, lack of planning, liquidity shortages in the financial sector, financial robustness of the off-takers, etc.

While there is a general consensus that the massive and rapid deployment of power generation facilities in Africa is essential to the continent’s economic and human development, there are several ways to achieve this goal. A long term view could mean favouring the deployment of large hydropower dams, decarbonised solutions that take a long time to implement and are not necessarily suitable for all regions. Conversely, the pressing urgency may encourage decision makers to opt for easier solutions: the use of thermal power generation plants (coal, gas or diesel fired power plants) that are quicker to deploy but generate more CO2. Although complementary, these two strategies each appear unable to provide a single response to the future needs of a population that will count an additional 1.3 billion people in thirty years’ time: the first option has the disadvantage of a development phase that is too long for the state of urgency observed, the second is inadequate in both climatic and economic terms, due to the increasing prices of fossil fuels.

For almost a decade, the development of photovoltaic solar power generation technologies offers new perspectives for electrifying the African continent. The falling prices of solar panels and batteries, the exponential growth of solar energy world-wide, and various initiatives, including the Africa Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI) or Jean-Louis Borloo’s public addresses, have implied that the problem of access to energy in Africa had been resolved, or is at least in the process of being so. In fact, the truth is quite different. Today, only around ten solar power plants of more than 5 MW have been connected to the grid in the whole of Sub-Saharan Africa (excluding South Africa), four of which are in Senegal. Africa remains notably absent from the global wave of solar power plant deployment. This is a collective failure for which the underlying reasons must be analysed.

Uganda has released a revised draft of the National Energy Policy, which seeks to replace the older one of 2002, by, among other things, embarking on strategies that can promote new forms of energy such as solar and geothermal power.

By promoting the supply of new energies, government says the new policy will also focus on growing domestic demand and tapping into regional markets. The idea of growing demand is partly to influence a drop in power tariffs.

According to government statistics, biomass energy contributes 88 per cent of the total primary energy consumed in the country. This biomass energy is consumed mainly through firewood, charcoal and crop residues.

Electricity, especially hydropower, contributes approximately two per cent, while fossil fuels (oil products) account for 10 per cent of the national energy mix. The increased use of biomass, especially in the rural areas, is largely because many of the people there cannot afford to pay for electricity.

“There is limited productive use of electricity especially in rural areas which negatively affects demand growth, affordability and uptake. Low demand growth compared to planned generation capacity is likely to exert pressure on consumer tariffs”, the draft energy policy notes.

“Affordability is also impacted by other factors including pricing that is in turn affected by foreign exchange rate fluctuations, inflation and the performance of energy service providers”.

To attract more investments into the sector, the energy policy intends to gradually shift from primarily private sector led growth to public-private partnerships, and increased public financing of sector developments aimed at increasing affordability.

Even then, the government is cautious about the future of hydropower. The energy policy talks about the impact of formulating innovative financing mechanisms for private geothermal resource development through provision of fiscal and other incentives, on top of soliciting funds for the management of geothermal exploration risk in order to attract investors.

UK firm Bantu RG Energy, through its local subsidiary – Bantu Energy Uganda Limited – is looking to become the first company to put up a geothermal power plant in Uganda connected to the national grid.

The company has written to the Electricity Regulatory Authority over its plans of building a 10MW geothermal power plant in the Panyigoro area of Nebbi district. The company plans to first undertake feasibility studies before applying for a generation license.

Uganda plans to promote solar energy through different interventions, with the policy mentioning the provision of tax incentives and waivers for solar thermal equipment as a key strategy that the government will use.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a US$20mn investment in the Metier Sustainable Capital International Fund II, which channels funds to renewable energy and resource-efficient infrastructure projects across sub-Saharan Africa

The Bank’s funding will contribute to production of an additional 178.5MW of renewable power for commercial and residential use. It will also create opportunities for industrial wastewater treatment and waste-to-energy generation. The Fund will meet the Bank’s strict environment and safeguards standards to ensure potential risks are adequately mitigated.

Wale Shonibare, AfDB’s acting vice-president for power, energy, climate change and green growth, said, “Metier has extensive experience in developing and financing renewable energy projects with strong technical partners and co-developers in Southern Africa. We are pleased to join other investors in supporting their expansion into new African markets to help unlock the vast renewable potential of the continent.”

He said the investment was part of the Bank’s efforts to alleviate financing constraints in the renewable energy sector.

Metier is a well-established fund manager with a track record of deploying more than US$550mn in African countries, including solar, wind and hydropower projects in Southern and East Africa.

The company has been an important player in South African solar power, a maturing technology that offers significant benefits in terms of storage and dispatchability to the grid, unlike traditional photovoltaic options.

The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Energy has issued an expression of interest to pre-qualify developers for two 5 MW solar plants. The facilities will be on the islands of Sal and São Vicente.

Cape Verde’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Energy is seeking developers for two 5 MW generation capacity ground-mounted PV projects.

The government wants to use the tender to select independent power producers for projects on the islands of Sal and São Vicente. The plants will be built on a build, own and operate basis.

Developers have until January 31 to pre-qualify for the tender. Notice of publication of the tender did not include any further financial or technical details.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, Cape Verde had 8 MW of installed solar capacity at the end of 2018.

The government expects to generate 30% of its electricity from renewables in 2025 and 50% in 2030.

Government is set to facilitate the creation of a financial institution in Rwanda that will be solely dedicated to funding projects that promote climate change resilience.

The development was first announced during the 25th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework on Climate Change which was held in Spain recently.

Speaking to The New Times, Doreen Nakure, a communication specialist at Rwanda Green Fund (FONERWA), said that the Fund has already contracted experts who will come up with a clear picture of how the bank will look like. According to Nakure, FONERWA has contracted the Coalition for Green Capital (CGC), which provides lead expertise on green bank design internationally, to provide an outlay of the bank. She said the bank will be called the Rwanda Catalytic Green Investment Bank (RCGIB), adding that other details, like the initial capital, will be determined by the CGC study currently underway.

The Coalition for Green Capital is a non-profit organization focused on accelerating the growth of clean energy markets through the creation of Green Banks. It offers a unique and proven capacity as the leading creator, advocate, and expert on Green Banks since 2009 and works directly to support the formation of Green Banks with governmental and civil society partners, and provide on-going consulting and guidance to operating Green Banks.

The Rwanda Green Bank proposal follows one South Africa, which has set up the same bank that also finances green projects undertaken in the country with initial balance sheet of over $100 million. “This initiative aims at promoting green investments in Rwanda, with a unique and specific focus on financing, unlocking and expanding private investment like debt and equity in the local green sectors”, Nakure said. The initiative, she said,  is being designed with a set of guiding principles particularly independent investment decision-making, ability to raise financing from Development Financial Institutions as well as the private sector based on best practices from international Green Banks and facilities, as well as strategic input from FONERWA and other market participants. Asked whether it will be state-owned or a private-owned bank, she said it was not clear at the moment. “Since it’s a project under study, we cannot tell with certainly and it will depend on a lot of issues under discussion but it might be a privately-owned initiative. It will all depend on the outcomes of the consultations currently underway”. She said that once set up, the Green Bank will finance both public and private green projects as long as they meet the set criteria. She clarified that while FONERWA is a government fund that invests in financing green projects, the other will operate more like a financial institution.

Over 138,000 green jobs have been created by FONERWA since its inception in 2013.

The Fund has enabled protection of over 21.1 million hectares of land against erosion. At least 41,116 hectares were covered with forestry and agroforestry while 26.3 million hectares of watersheds and water bodies were protected.

The green fund says 65,340 households have since got access to clean energy as 65 million tonnes of global warming gases (carbon emissions) were avoided.

Gabiro said that 108,038 people were supported to cope with climate change effects.

Rwanda has set up the ambition to be a developed, climate-resilient and low carbon economy by 2050.

The investment secures a share in Rensource, a company which develops decentralized solar energy systems for small businesses and micro-companies. The plan reinforces the strategy to widen access to sustainable energy in the african continent.

EDP Renováveis will invest $3 million in Rensource, a company that develops and manages decentralized solar energy systems, to support its expansion in Nigeria. With this investment, EDP reinforces the group's strategy for universal access to sustainable energy, which has been promoted through the A2E (Access to Energy) program.

Rensource, established in 2015 in the US and operating in Nigeria since 2016, is a company specialized in implementing and managing decentralized solar energy systems, which enable the generation and distribution of electricity as well as the trading of energy services in the different communities in which it is present. The company is already in seven states of the country, focusing on small businesses and micro-companies, and has more than 200 employees.

This $3 million investment (about € 2.6 million) - which was the result of a financing initiative completed by EDP Renováveis and other international investors such as CRE Ventures, Omidyar Network, Inspired Evolution, Proparco, I&P, Sin Capital and Yuzura Honda - will allow EDP Renováveis to participate in Africa's largest market. The goal now is to support the company's expansion in Nigeria, the initial focus of Rensource's strategy, and to bring sustainable, low-cost energy solutions to more communities.

“EDP has long been committed to supporting solutions that promote universal, affordable and sustainable access to clean energy, especially in disadvantaged and developing communities”, as António Mexia, CEO of EDP, explains. “The Rensource project reflects this ambition by developing systems that support a fair energetic transition and contribute to the growth and sustainability of local economies through access to renewable energies.”

With this new investment, EDP continues the strategy defined in the A2E program, in which it has committed to investing 12 million euros by 2020, impacting 200,000 people, mainly in developing countries. In addition to promoting sustainable energy for all, this strategy enables EDP to become a relevant A2E operator in emerging markets.

This commitment is alongside the investment of one million euros in social responsibility activities that, through a philanthropic fund, aim to reduce electricity exclusion, something that still affects nearly one billion people.

These ambitions are in line with Rensource's own growth plan. Ademola Adesina, founder and CEO of the US-based company, believes that simultaneously greening and decentralising its power infrastructure is the only way to navigate Nigeria to break out of its current state of energy poverty. He adds that pursuing this with a focus on the millions of small businesses that drive the Nigerian economy creates a massive multiplier effect whose benefit accrues to all. “The push into O2O (offline to online) is a natural step that takes advantage of Rensource's existing infrastructure to further empower the merchants we serve. Our goal is to connect 500,000 merchants over the next five years and, in this context, we welcome EDPR to the Rensource project and look forward, together, to achieve our ambition goals.”

The African Development Bank’s Board of Directors has approved a grant to the government of Sudan to accelerate the adoption of solar-powered irrigation pumps in the country’s West Kordofan and North Kordofan states.

The project will enable farmers’ adoption of renewable energy technology through the installation of 1,170 photovoltaic (PV) irrigation pumps, the establishment of maintenance and repair workshops for the pumps, and the supply of equipment for a pump testing laboratory to provide certification and training.

Agriculture is an important economic sector in Sudan. In 2016, nearly 40% of the country’s GDP came from farming. For the sector, and for the wider economy, the project offers significant and numerous knock-on benefits. As a result of the expected phasing out of diesel-fueled pumps, participating farmers will realise cost savings from no longer needing to purchase diesel, which is scarce in rural areas. Productivity also would increase: diesel generators require time consuming maintenance and repair. Pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, the country’s largest contributor, would fall.

Mr. Paul Baldeh, the Bank’s Director for Power Systems Development, noted that “by extending farmers a grant covering 75% of installation costs, the government, with Bank support, will overcome the most significant hurdle of adopting clean PV technology: high upfront costs.” The remaining 25% will be payable in installments over three years. He added that the project will conduct a ground water survey and sustainability assessment that will inform the development of subsequent projects in Sudan.

The project meets the Sudanese government’s renewable energy and poverty reduction objectives as well as the Bank’s High Five and Energy Sector Policy. Moreover, the project has strong potential to be replicated and scaled up in other parts of the country.

Contact: 

Olufemi Terry - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |Communication and External Relations Department | African Development Bank.

The technology group Wärtsilä announces the first order of its innovative new Wärtsilä Modular Block solution for power generation to Aggreko, a global provider of mobile, modular power, temperature control and energy services. Four Wärtsilä Modular Block enclosures with one medium-speed Wärtsilä 32 engine in each, will provide 40 MW of energy to Resolute Mining’s Syama off-grid gold mine in Mali, Africa. The Modular Block order was placed by Aggreko in November 2019.  This contract is the first one signed under the cooperation agreement between Wärtsilä and Aggreko, that was announced in June this year.

The Wärtsilä Modular Block solution will replace the existing diesel generators currently powering the mine. Thanks to the high efficiency of the engines the new solution will create substantial monthly savings in fuel costs. Fast-starting and load following capabilities will facilitate the integration of renewables into the mine’s energy system. The mine will be powered by a reliable, flexible and affordable solution, which will help to enhance the mine’s environmental impact.

Three Wärtsilä Modular Blocks, providing a total of 30 MW of power will be installed next to the existing power station in 2020. The fourth 10 MW Modular Block will be installed in 2022. The agreement with Aggreko includes an option to add a fifth 10 MW unit to the power plant. The scalability of Wärtsilä Modular Block solution enables the mine to add additional power capacity if needed to support the future growth.

“The Wärtsilä Modular Block supports our technology investment strategy and when included as part of a hybrid solution, has enabled us to offer Resolute an extremely cost-effective solution for 16 years,” addresses Stephane Le Corre, Strategy and Development Director at Aggreko.

“The Wärtsilä Modular Block solution opens up exciting new opportunities, both for permanent and rental electricity generation. We are delighted to be partnering with Aggreko in this rapidly growing market, and this first order is encouraging for the future success of our cooperation,” added Jean Nabb, Director, Strategic Partnerships, Wärtsilä Energy Business.

Aggreko is working at the forefront of a rapidly changing energy market and is focused on solving its customers’ challenges to provide cost-effective, flexible and greener solutions across the globe. More information here.

Caption text: The Wärtsilä Modular Block is a pre-fabricated, modularly configurated, and expandable enclosure for sustainable power generation.

For more information, please contact:

Christophe Demay

Senior Business Development Manager

Wärtsilä Energy Business

Mob. +33 6 78892182

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Mirja-Maija Santala

Manager, Marketing & Communications

Wärtsilä Energy Business

Mob: +358 400 793 827

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Wärtsilä Energy Business in brief

Wärtsilä Energy Business is leading the transition towards a 100% renewable energy future. As an energy system integrator, we understand, design, build and serve optimal power systems for future generations. Wärtsilä’s solutions provide the needed flexibility to integrate renewables and secure power system reliability. Our offering comprises engine-based flexible power plants – including liquid gas systems – hybrid solar power plants, energy management systems and storage and integration solutions. We support our customers over the lifecycle of their installations with services that enable increased efficiency and guaranteed performance. Wärtsilä has 70 GW of installed power plant capacity in 177 countries around the world.

https://www.wartsila.com/energy/

Wärtsilä in brief

Wärtsilä is a global leader in smart technologies and complete lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. By emphasising sustainable innovation, total efficiency and data analytics, Wärtsilä maximises the environmental and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its customers. In 2018, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 5.2 billion with approximately 19,000 employees. The company has operations in over 200 locations in more than 80 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.

www.wartsila.com

When it comes to Concentrated Solar Power (CSP), SENER prides itself as a world leader in innovative and sustainable solutions for clean energy. This year has seen us achieve some of our most outstanding milestones since the start of operations in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province.

SENER reached a critical milestone in the construction project of the Kathu Solar Park, where synchronisation was successfully achieved in November 2018. This means that we are now connected to the grid and are generating electricity but for purpose of testing and ensuring that the plant can supply electricity to the national grid.

Synchronisation to the grid is one of the last steps before the plant starts commercial operation reassuring CSP as an efficient solution in the renewable energy sector with its high efficiency and performance to deliver energy to the South African grid during the evening peak.

Once fully operational, the plant will provide clean and reliable energy to the local community of the John Taole Gaetsewe District Municipality, in the Northern Cape Province.

SENER is also proud of the progress at the Ilanga1 Plant, that is the first and only CSP project that was conceived and developed by a 100% black owned South African developer. The Operations & Maintenance training provided by the Ilanga CSP1 partners is a first in the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP) and is in line with government’s four accords, emanating from the New Growth Path (NGP); namely basic education, skills development, local procurement and the green economy.

Our professional team in the country is currently finishing the commissioning tests for the solar plant, which is made up of 266 loops, conforming 870,000 mirror sqm approximately.

The Northern Cape MEC for Economic Development MacCollen Jack pointed out that the province is host to 51 of the country’s 102 Independent Power Producers with more than 19 projects already connected to the grid at a capacity of more than 900MW, has identified all renewable energy technologies including CSP as key in unlocking job opportunities for our youth, women and the transformation of our economy.