Scatec venture, Release, has signed new lease agreements totalling 64 MW of solar power and 10 MWh of battery storage across Liberia and Sierra Leone

Designed to overcome financial and technical barriers associated with adopting solar energy, Release is a flexible leasing agreement of pre-assembled solar PV and battery equipment to deliver a low cost, clean, and reliable power solution.

“These agreements mark a significant step in strengthening our renewable energy presence and delivering flexible, modular ‘lease-to-own’ solutions to utilities in sub-Saharan Africa,” said Scatec CEO and chairman of Release, Terje Pilskog.

“The projects are designed to replace expensive fossil fuel generation, improve grid reliability, and support local economic development.”

Release receives support from the World Bank’s IFC through a US$100mn loan and a US$65mn guarantee facility, established in 2023, securing payment obligations from Release’s clients.

The partnership enables Release to offer affordable, clean power to African utilities with reduced financial risk, simplifying renewable energy adoption.

In Liberia, Release has entered into a 15-year lease agreement with the state-owned Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) for the development of a 24 MW solar plant combined with a 10 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Duazon, near Monrovia.

It also secured a 40 MW solar project in Sierra Leone through a lease agreement with the national utility EGTC and the Ministry of Energy.

These two projects will be the first projects where Release will use its newly-introduced solar panel mounting structure designed by its engineering team in South Africa, representing a milestone for the company and marking a start to a new way of delivering its projects.

Release is owned by Scatec (68%) and Climate Fund Managers (CFM) (32%) via its EU-supported Climate Investor One Fund, a US$1bn blended finance facility focused on renewable energy infrastructure in emerging markets.

Scatec has been proactively growing its own Africa footprint directly in the past year, as it builds out a total of 6.2 GW in operation and under construction across five continents. 

That includes South Africa, where it was recently awarded 846 MW of solar power in the sevent round of the REIPPPP, its largest ever solar award in the country.

Read more:

Renewables surpass coal in global electricity

Sola launches Africa's first multi-buyer solar project

https://africanreview.com/energy/maxion-wheels-south-africa-solar-power

If you're in the business of moving heavy materials, operating under pressure, and meeting tight project timelines, the new generation of Volvo wheel loaders is built for you.

Designed with smart, time-saving features and built-in efficiencies, these machines are all about getting more done — faster, smoother, and with less effort.

Smarter control for smoother operation

Manual operation is becoming a thing of the past. The latest Volvo wheel loaders comes with standard cutting-edge automation to simplify your workday and boost performance.

• New Smart Control engine mode means you can lower fuel consumption without compromising on productivity. This intelligent feature helps you stay on top of demanding schedules. Spend less time on repetitive tasks and more on what really counts – delivering results.

• Auto-Bucket Fill is a game-changer – especially in rehandling work. At the push of a button, the system automatically fills, curls, and lifts the bucket while managing the throttle for you. It’s ideal for both seasoned pros and newer operators, helping reduce fatigue, extend tire life, and keep productivity high all day long.

• Load-sensing hydraulics ensure ultra-responsive handling, while automatic bucket leveling provides precise and consistent operation.

Built for performance and productivity

Whether you're working on construction sites, in quarries, or in material handling operations, time is money.

• L150 & L180: Now equipped with direct lock-up shifting for faster response and more efficient power delivery. By eliminating torque converter slip, you get smoother shifting, quicker cycles, and better fuel economy – ideal for load-and-carry work.

• L220 & L260: Tackle tough ground with Automatic Traction Control, which automatically engages the front axle differential lock for extra grip when you need it. It cuts wheel slip, reduces tire wear, and keeps you moving confidently through rough conditions. Automatic Traction Control is also available as an option for rear axles.

• Volvo’s OptiShift technology with patented Reverse by Braking reduces cycle times, improves fuel efficiency, and increases torque output at lower speeds. That means stronger performance when and where you need it most.

Prioritising operator safety, always

Safety is non-negotiable. Volvo’s next-gen loaders come equipped with:

• 360° Volvo Smart View camera system

• Collision Mitigation System for safer reversing

• Enhanced all-around visibility with an upgraded cabin design
  These innovations help keep operators and on-site teams protected, no matter how tough the conditions.

The new generation of Volvo wheel loaders includes the L150, L180, L200 High Lift, L220, and the L260. From all-round versatility to maximum lifting power, there's sure to be a model to fit your specific worksite needs.

SimFer, the joint venture between the Government of the Republic of Guinea, Rio Tinto, and the Chinalco-led CIOH consortium, has achieved another significant milestone with the safe arrival of the first four CTG locomotives at the Port of Morébaya

These units mark the initial batch of a total of 78 locomotives ordered by Rio Tinto SimFer in July 2024 on behalf of La Compagnie du TransGuinéen (CTG), the organisation established to own and manage the rail and port infrastructure connected to the Simandou mines.

Purpose-built to support Africa's largest integrated mining and infrastructure project, these locomotives will play a vital role in transporting high-grade iron ore from the Simandou mines to the newly developed Morebaya port facilities in Forécariah. The 670 kmTrans-Guinean Railway will link Guinea from east to west for the first time, unlocking new opportunities for trade, agriculture, and passenger transport. The arrival of these locomotives highlights the crucial role of rail infrastructure in advancing the Simandou project.

Chris Aitchison, CEO of Rio Tinto SimFer, said,“This is a historic moment for the Simandou project and for Guinea. These locomotives are a visible sign of the progress made and the future benefits that the Trans-Guinean Railway will bring by connecting communities, facilitating trade and supporting sustainable development across the country.”

Mamoudou Nagnalen Barry, president of the Compagnie du TransGuinéen, stressed: “The TransGuinéen is gradually becoming a tangible reality, and we are proud to work hand in hand with our industrial partners to ensure the full operationalisation of the CTG. We are committed to making the TransGuinéen corridor an important vector of development for local businesses and a catalyst for economic growth and prosperity for communities in Guinea, in line with the Simandou 2040 vision.”

The Compagnie du TransGuinéen (CTG) will oversee the operation of the railway and port, ensuring long-term sustainability under Guinean leadership. CTG is a joint venture between Rio Tinto SimFer and Winning Consortium Simandou (WCS), each holding a 42.5% share, while the Government of Guinea retains a 15% free stake. Following a 35-year operational period, ownership of the entire infrastructure will be transferred to the Government of Guinea, marking it as a transformative national asset.

With the arrival of the first four locomotives and additional deliveries expected in the coming months, the project continues to advance steadily. This milestone reflects continued progress towards the full realisation of the Simandou project, generating opportunities for the Guinean people and positioning the nation as a global leader in high-grade iron ore production.

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced the signing of a US$1.35bn financing facility for Dangote Industries Limited (DIL)

This forms part of a larger approximately US$4bn syndicated financing arrangement for DIL, Africa’s largest industrial conglomerate, with Afreximbank acting as the Mandated Lead Arranger for the syndication.

This transaction — one of the largest syndicated loans in recent African financial markets — will be used to refinance capital invested in the construction of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Complex, the world’s largest single-train refinery with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. The financing will reduce initial operational expenditures, strengthen DIL’s balance sheet, and support its ongoing growth.

Afreximbank’s contribution of US$1.35bn, the largest share among participating banks, highlights its commitment to major infrastructure projects that drive Africa’s industrialisation, energy security, and intra-African trade.

Since the refinery complex commenced operations in February 2024, Afreximbank has continued to provide financial support for crude supply and product offtake, ensuring smooth operations and reinforcing its role in Africa’s most significant refining project.

Commenting on the deal, Benedict Oramah, president & chairman of the board of directors at Afreximbank, said, “With this landmark deal, we once again demonstrate that Africa’s development can only be meaningfully financed from within. It is only when African institutions lead the way that others can follow. The journey to utilise African resources for its own economic transformation is well underway. Through the Bank’s funding support, we are enhancing the capacity of the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Industries Ltd to produce and supply high quality refined petroleum products to the Nigerian market, as well as for export to the entire continent and the world. Our energy security is in sight.”

Aliko Dangote, CEO, Dangote Industries Limited, added, “Afreximbank’s contribution to this milestone financing underscores our shared vision to industrialise Africa from within. This refinancing strengthens our balance sheet and accelerates with ease the refinery’s suppy of high-quality refined petroleum products across Africa.”

The syndicated facility attracted strong interest from major African and international financial institutions, reflecting confidence in Africa’s industrial growth and in Dangote’s vision for transforming the continent.

FLS has completed a significant upgrade to its polyurethane manufacturing facility in Delmas, Mpumalanga, positioning the site as a key global hub for the production of its advanced NexGen wear-resistant material

This development forms part of a wider modernisation programme by FLS, aimed at strengthening supply chains, increasing manufacturing efficiency and enhancing
sustainability across its global footprint.

Brad Shepherd, director service line - screen and feeder consumables at FLS, said the investment at Delmas aligns with the company’s global strategy to standardise and optimise production processes.

“This is a milestone for us,” commented Shepherd. “We are integrating cutting edge technology and modern manufacturing methodologies across all our polyurethane plants, and Delmas is leading the way. The upgrade enables us to respond more quickly and reliably to customer needs across Africa, the Middle East and Europe.”

The centrepiece of the upgrade is the introduction of purpose-built infrastructure to produce NexGen screen media - a polyurethane material developed by FLS to deliver extended wear life, reduced maintenance and improved operational efficiency. In on-site trials, screen panels made from NexGen have demonstrated up to three times the wear life of conventional rubber and polyurethane products, making it a gamechanger for industries that rely on high performance screening solutions.

Warren Walker, head of global manufacturing - polyurethane operations at FLS, explained that Delmas is the first of the company’s five global polyurethane plants to complete this transition. “We have installed new, latest generation polyurethane machines, precision tooling and dedicated preheating ovens for inserts,” he said. “This allows us to significantly increase our output while ensuring consistent quality.”

The facility now includes two trommel screen media stations and three screen media stations, each tailored to produce NexGen products. One of the standout technologies introduced is a programmable auto- calibrating polyurethane machine capable of adjusting material hardness to suit
specific applications.

“The flexibility to produce varying hardness levels is critical,” Walker noted. “It means we can tailor our screen media precisely to the customer’s application, ensuring optimum performance and longevity.”

To complement this, a high capacity polyurethane machine capable of pouring up to 42 kg per minute is in operation at the facility. This system is particularly suited to applications requiring large volume pours, such as flotation spare parts and vertical mill components.

The Delmas facility already benefited from a significant upgrade in 2019, when a state-of-the-art six-axis machining centre was introduced for tooling precision, along with robotic welding systems for manufacturing screen media panel inserts and a CNC controlled spiral welding machine to produce wedge wire products. The latest round of investments builds on this foundation and brings the facility to the forefront of global polyurethane production capability.

Energy efficiency was a key consideration in the new layout and equipment design. “We have incorporated smart energy saving features like individual temperature control on each casting table station,” Walker remarked. “This avoids the need to heat large surface areas unnecessarily and contributes to our carbon reduction goals.”

Further supporting these goals is the installation of 300 kW of solar generation capacity at the Delmas site, completed in 2024. Plans are already in place to expand this by another 500 kW in 2026, along with the integration of a battery energy storage system (BESS), enabling greater energy independence and resilience.

FLS’s offering from Delmas extends beyond screen media manufacturing. The facility is equipped to handle the complete fabrication of vibrating screens, from raw material processing and in-house machining to assembly and factory acceptance testing. This vertical integration allows the company to deliver customised solutions with tighter control over quality and lead times.

Shepherd emphasises that FLS operates both as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and a screen media specialist, supplying screen panels for all types and brands of vibrating screens, feeders and trommel screens.

“We don’t just supply products,” he said. “We work closely with our customers through our network of on-the-ground specialists to assess site conditions and select the best screening media for their specific needs.”

He notes that many older processing plants are treating materials that differ from their original design specifications. In these cases, screen efficiency can often only be improved by optimising the screen media. “This is where NexGen makes a real difference,” Shepherd commented. “Combined with the correct aperture design, it allows customers to get more life and better performance from their screens.”

Unlike injection-moulded polyurethane, which can compromise the structural integrity of screen panels, FLS’s proprietary process retains superior mechanical properties, resulting in a tougher more durable product. “We have never used injection moulding because it reduces the quality of the end product,” Shepherd explained. “Our process delivers a product that stands up to the toughest operating conditions and offers lasting value.”

Walker adds that the expansion at Delmas not only supports FLS’s global operations but also contributes meaningfully to the South African economy. “Our commitment to local manufacturing is evident in the scale of our investment and the jobs we have created,” he said. “We have expanded our workforce, prioritised local recruitment and significantly grown our apprenticeship programme.”

A strong focus has also been placed on developing female artisans. In 2024, six women from the local community were recruited into a three year trade apprenticeship programme, receiving training in welding, fitting and boilermaking.

“Our investment during a period of economic uncertainty underlines FLS’s long term commitment to South Africa and to our customers in the broader EMEA region,” said Walker. “We are not just building products – we are building skills, opportunities and partnerships that will power sustainable growth for years to come.”