Page 18 - Energize March 2022

NEWS

Putting green on the African grid

Renewable and sustainable energy solutions in Africa have gone beyond conversation
and into comprehensive transformation.

By Norman Moyo, CEO of Distributed the Paris Agreement, can significantly
Power Technologies (formerly inhibit a country’s growth and economy
Distributed Power Africa), a business of if it doesn’t meet the mandated
Cassava Technologies requirements, and others, such as the UN
SDGs, are putting pressure on the country
nergy is the lifeblood of business and company to align.
and the global economy. It’s the What this means, is that the real eye
Elight switch, the retail outlet, the should be on renewable and sustainable
manufacturing line and every business and energy solutions that tap straight into
sector in between. Reliable energy supply the continent’s biggest asset – its
has the potential to transform Africa, geography. Renewable energy solutions
renewable energy has the potential to paint allow for companies and countries to
the continent green. In a recent analysis, fundamentally transform their access to
the International Monetary Fund unpacked power, and the cost of that power. This
how the reduced costs of renewable is significant, especially when you look
energy technologies and the continent’s at how demand is set to exponentially Norman Moyo
geography can combine to provide Africa increase over the next few years as data
with sustainable and cost-effective energy centres and manufacturers move onto
that could keep it well below the Paris African shores. These need power – for companies to step on board the
Agreement emission levels while still reliable power. Reliable power means renewable wagon and transform their
allowing for growth and expansion. getting the mix of energy provision energy posture, sustainably. Distributed
It also highlights the fact that Africa’s solutions right, in ensuring that Power Technologies, a business of Cassava
power shortages cost the continent Africa doesn’t have to rely on ageing Technologies, has established itself as
around 2 to 4% of GDP annually, and that infrastructure or rising tariffs from a contender in the renewables market,
power costs consumers nearly twice as unreliable providers to meet its power providing solutions that can handle
much, on average, than consumers pay goals. It also means creating an energy immense power load and weight.
elsewhere. These conversations aren’t new portfolio that limits reliance on fossil fuels The company has the capacity to
and fundamentally haven’t changed. While and instead extends the green footprint develop projects of up to 20 MW each
energy distribution and demand differ throughout the continent that benefits and works closely with small-scale IPP
from country to country, cost and access both the business and the public sector. developers with “shovel-ready” projects
remain two of Africa’s biggest energy For organisations, renewable of 5 MW and more. DPT has already
challenges. The rising costs of electricity energy solutions will help them meet commissioned projects for Commercial &
have put pressure on organisations and their Environment, Sustainability and Industrial companies like Makro, Builders
individuals, limiting growth and impacting Governance (ESG) goals and add weight to Warehouse, Africa Data Centres and
the economy. their green credentials. For governments, Liquid Intelligent Technologies in South
This is further complicated by the it means building reputable foundations Africa. The company’s distributed energy
fact that these rising costs have come from which investment can grow. This strategy is aligned with the Integrated
hand-in-hand with intermittent power shift has already been felt in South Africa Resource Plan (IRP) 2019 that anticipates
cuts and unreliable supply. Companies where recent pricing increases and 10,7 GW of existing coal-fired power
are feeling the squeeze from every side. power reliability issues have resulted in a stations will be decommissioned by 2030.
The challenge is to overcome these issues government-led move towards renewable With a 75 MW pipeline, DPT can provide
sustainably. Energy – accessible and cost- power sources. tailored renewable solutions at zero
effective energy – is an enabler but any The South African market has seen upfront investment, and it’s ready to help
power solution has to be implemented a notable shift over the past year. Now, transform Africa.
intelligently, and with an eye on the with the country pushing for renewable
future and the regulations that are energy with policy, there’s been a surge in Contact DPT, Phone 011 030 7200,
increasingly governing how this power is renewable energy projects and strategies. enquiries@dpaafrica.com,
used and measured. One such regulation, This is an exceptional opportunity https://dpaafrica.com

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