Energy

UCT empowers campus with next-gen power backup

New collaboration secures reliable power for teaching, research and healthcare while paving the way for clean energy integration. (Image source: Solarise Africa)

The University of Cape Town (UCT), in partnership with Solarise Africa, ACES Africa, and WEG, has inaugurated the UCT Faculty of Health Sciences Backup Power Project at its Health Sciences Campus in Observatory

The initiative aims to ensure continuous power for critical healthcare, research, and academic operations while laying the groundwork for future renewable energy integration.

In its first phase, the project introduces a 2.4 MVA Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) providing 4 MWh of storage capacity, complemented by 1.5 MVA of WEG generators. A centralised PPC/SCADA-based control system manages coordination between battery, generator, and upcoming solar components. Phase 2, now under design, will include a 171.6 kWp solar PV system projected to offset around 230 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually once functional.

Sakkie van Wijk, co-founder and chief operating officer of Solarise Africa, stated that the project embodies the firm’s mission: “Reliable energy is not a luxury, it’s critical infrastructure. With this partnership, we are safeguarding healthcare, research, and education today, while building towards a sustainable energy future.”

“Ensuring uninterrupted operations and energy resilience across our medical campus is a strategic priority,” said Avi Dhevdath, acting director: programme management at UCT.

“This initiative strengthens the campus’s ability to sustain critical research and teaching activities, guaranteeing operational continuity and supporting UCT’s pursuit of resilience, excellence, and world-class infrastructure.”

UCT is also aligning its resilience goals with climate responsibility. “This project delivers both reliability and carbon reduction,” remarked Manfred Braune, director of environmental sustainability at UCT.

“By coupling backup with solar readiness, we reduce emissions while strengthening our resilience, precisely the kind of forward-looking investment UCT must make.”

For EPC partner ACES Africa, the project is a demonstration of practical engineering expertise.

Charl Gous, CEO of ACES Africa, commented, “At ACES, we engineer solutions you can trust. This project is a landmark in delivering resilient energy systems for critical African institutions.”

WEG South Africa, responsible for designing, manufacturing, and integrating the medium-voltage systems, substations, generators, and Energy Management System (EMS), highlighted the synergy between durability and sustainability. “Our role was to build a robust electrical backbone that meets today’s energy security needs while enabling tomorrow’s renewable integration,” concluded Eduardo Werninghaus, CEO of WEG Africa.

The partnership exemplifies a resilience-led approach with flexibility for renewable upgrades, reflecting a collective vision for energy reliability, institutional sustainability, and climate-conscious infrastructure.

Oando advances solar PV manufacturing plant

Oando is stepping up its interest in the clean energy sector

Nigerian energy group Oando plc is expanding its clean energy division, outlining a variety of power and related projects in its latest results update

The roster of projects includes a 1.2 GW solar PV assembly plant, which it hopes will tap into rising demand for solar panels and the desire to source from local manufacturers.

In its clean energy division, the company noted that it “advanced its electric mobility, solar, and recycling initiatives”, including progressing the development of a 1.2GW solar PV assembly plant.

Few details have been provided on the manufacturing plant but it is thought that the facility will also recycle old solar panels into materials for other applications.

In addition, Oando reported that it had also completed a techno-economic study for a 6 MW geothermal pilot project, as well as secured land for a 2,750-ton-per-month PET recycling facility.

The indigenous energy group, which is listed on both the Nigerian Exchange and Johannesburg Stock Exchange, said overall profits were up 164% during the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the same period in 2024, despite a drop in revenues, citing “production growth and disciplined execution.”

Wale Tinubu, Oando’s CEO, said the high growth followed the acquisition of 100% of the shareholding interest in the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) from the Italian energy company, Eni, last year.

“In the first nine months of 2025, we consolidated the gains achieved following our acquisition of NAOC’s assets last year,” he told investors.

“Our assumption of operatorship has been transformational, granting us the agility to act decisively and execute with precision in driving production growth and operational efficiency.”

In the upstream segment, the company said group production averaged 38,121 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) during the period, up 59% year-on-year,

“Oando’s performance reflects a period of strategic transition, marked by strong profitability and upstream growth despite softer trading revenues,” it said in a statement.

Its latest announcement also illustrates a deeper interest in expanding beyond hydrocarbons and into renewables and other clean energy alternatives.

In its Q1 2025 results, Oando said that it is targeting the deployment of 50 electric buses as well as making further progress on the solar PV module assembly plant, advancing it toward final investment decision, although it did not give any timescale on when it hoped the scheme would be operational.

JA Solar, Juwi sign SA solar modules deal

Smarter lifting in South Africa's C&I solar industry

Scatec’s Kenhardt project earns global recognition

Scatec’s Kenhardt hybrid solar and battery project in South Africa recognised among top six global energy initiatives. (Image source: Scatec)

Scatec’s hybrid solar and BESS Kenhardt project in the Northern Cape of South Africa has been selected by Sustainable Business COP30 as one of the top six exemplary cases for the prestigious SB COP awards, in the energy transition category

This recognition is a testament to the project’s remarkable achievements in environmental stewardship, renewable energy, and economic advancement. The Kenhardt project has been highlighted not only for its significant positive impact but also for its exceptional potential to be scaled and replicated on a global scale.

What makes this honour even more notable is that the Kenhardt project is the only African case study to be featured among the top six in the energy transition category, standing proudly alongside four projects from Brazil and one from Spain.

This distinction underscores the project’s importance on the international stage and shines a spotlight on Africa’s and Scatec’s innovative contributions to sustainable development.

Being recognised by such a respected forum as Sustainable Business COP30 reflects the dedication, expertise, and forward-thinking vision of everyone involved in the Kenhardt project. It is a moment of immense pride for Scatec and its partners, reaffirming our commitment to delivering solutions that not only benefit our communities and environment but also inspire progress across continents.

As we look ahead to the SB COP awards ceremony to take place in Belem during COP30, we remain committed to leading by example and sharing the lessons from Kenhardt with partners worldwide, striving towards a greener, more sustainable future for all.

“We are deeply honoured that the Kenhardt project has been recognised as an exemplary model of sustainable innovation. This accomplishment is a testament to the commitment of our team and the communities we support. It affirms Africa’s progress in renewable energy and highlights the importance of the global energy transition,” stated Scatec CEO Terje Pilskog.

“Building on the momentum from the G20 summit in Brazil last year, through to COP30 in Belem now and looking ahead to the upcoming G20 in South Africa, this recognition reflects the growing international collaboration driving sustainable development and climate leadership across continents,” Pilskog concluded.

Kaishan Group partners with KenGen for 165 MW geothermal project

Kaishan_and_KenGen_representatives_signing_MoU

Kaishan Group partners with KenGen to develop a 165 MW geothermal plant powering Kenya’s green ammonia production. (Image source: Kaishan Group)

Kaishan Group has entered into a landmark partnership with Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) to advance the country’s renewable energy capacity through a 165 MW geothermal power project

The agreement marks a major step toward Kenya’s ambition to lead Africa in clean energy and green industrial production.

On October 27, a Steam Supply Agreement was signed at the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kenya by Tang Yan, managing director of Kaishan Group Co., Ltd., and Eng. Peter Njenga, general manager and CEO of KenGen. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Opiyo Wandayi, EGH, minister of energy of the Republic of Kenya.

Under the terms of the agreement, KenGen will utilise its existing geothermal wells to supply steam sufficient to produce 165.4 MW of electricity to Kaishan Terra Green Ammonia Limited (Kenya), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kaishan. The company will build a geothermal power plant to generate electricity that will be used to produce 100,000 tons per year of green ammonia and green fertiliser.

The US$800mn project will yield 200,000 tons of green ammonia, 180,000 tons of urea, and 300,000 tons of calcium ammonium nitrate annually, all produced using green ammonia as the raw material. Once operational, the facility is expected to generate annual revenue of US$220–250mn, according to company announcements.

“This is another significant milestone for our group in its transformation and upgrading process, following the successful construction of the SMGP geothermal power plant (annual revenue of US$120–150mn),” Kaishan Group stated. “The global energy transition has entered a green energy era centered on hydrogen. Previously, our group identified ‘a globally important participant in the development and operation of green hydrogen and ammonia’ as one of our three major visions. It is anticipated that once the Kenya green ammonia project is completed and put into operation, our group will also become a leading force in the development and operation of green hydrogen and ammonia.”

The company highlighted that while many projects rely on solar and wind energy to produce hydrogen and green ammonia, few have been successfully launched due to the intermittent nature of solar and wind power and the high cost of energy storage. In contrast, geothermal energy provides stable, continuous baseload electricity, eliminating the need for storage facilities.

Kaishan noted, “Once the technology for producing green ammonia through the combination of geothermal power with wind and solar power is validated, Kaishan's innovative technology will open another important channel for global hydrogen energy development and is expected to pave a bright future for Kaishan Group's transformation into a great new energy company.”

Before the signing ceremony, Minister J. Opiyo Wandayi met with representatives from both Kaishan Group and KenGen to discuss the project’s strategic significance for Kenya’s renewable energy and industrial sectors.

Spiro accelerates electric mobility

Riders are rapidly shifting from internal combustion motorcycles to Spiro’s more affordable and accessible battery-swapping ecosystem and motorcycles. (Image source: Spiro)

Spiro, Africa’s leader in two-wheel transportation and battery swapping, has announced a landmark US$100mn investment round, the largest in the continent’s two-wheel electric mobility sector to date

The round includes US$75mn from The Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), the development impact investment arm of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). This investment reinforces Spiro’s mission to make mobility more affordable and accessible while transforming Africa’s clean energy and urban transport sectors.

“Africa is at an inflection point in personal mobility. Riders are rapidly shifting from internal combustion motorcycles to Spiro’s more affordable and accessible battery-swapping ecosystem and motorcycles. For the first time, riders are embracing sustainable transportation because it performs better, costs less to operate, and offers greater profitability than traditional gas-powered vehicles,” said Kaushik Burman, CEO of Spiro.

“This landmark US$100mn investment underscores our shared vision to build a pan-African battery-swapping infrastructure that empowers riders with reliable, sustainable energy and mobility across the continent."

Spiro plans to use the funding to expand its industry-leading battery-swapping infrastructure in both existing and new markets while enhancing its technology platform. The company aims to surpass 100,000 deployed vehicles by the end of 2025, solidifying its leadership in Africa and placing it among the world’s foremost battery-swapping providers.

“We are delighted to partner with Spiro on this transformative initiative. Our investment reflects Afreximbank’s strong commitment to building a competitive and sustainable mobility sector in Africa,” said professor Benedict Oramah, president of Afreximbank, and chairman of the boards of directors of Afreximbank and FEDA.

“Together, we are laying the groundwork for a new era of intra-African trade and industrialisation by stimulating local vehicle manufacturing, strengthening regional integration, and enhancing trade flows. At the same time, we are focused on creating skilled employment opportunities and reducing the continent’s reliance on imported second-hand vehicles.”

Spiro aims to revolutionise Africa’s transport ecosystem through advanced battery-swapping technology and accessible electric motorcycles. With a strong commitment to “made in Africa, by Africans for Africa and the world,” Spiro operates the continent’s largest and fastest-growing battery-swapping network across Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Nigeria, Benin, and Togo, with pilot programs in Tanzania and Cameroon. Before this round, Spiro had secured over US$180mn from Equitane and Société Générale.

“We are proud to welcome FEDA as a strategic investor as we accelerate the growth of Spiro’s mission to transform mobility, energy storage, and distribution across Africa,” said Gagan Gupta, Founder of Spiro. “Spiro’s rapid expansion into new markets reflects the continent’s strong appetite for clean, affordable, and efficient transportation. As we expand our battery-swapping infrastructure and integrate renewable energy sources into our energy mix, we are positioned to unlock substantial upside in Spiro’s energy distribution.”

“Spiro’s success to date is a clear demonstration of the strength and scalability of its business model,” said Marlene Ngoyi, CEO of FEDA. “The company’s rapid growth and strong market adoption underscore the significant demand for affordable, sustainable mobility solutions across Africa. With its integrated approach, Spiro has built a platform that is both commercially viable and socially impactful.”

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