Energy

Motheo copper mine on-site power project

Solar plant to power Botswana mining site (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Tshukudu Metals Botswana has signed a deal for a 21 MW solar power plant to be built at its Motheo copper mine near Ghanzi in Botswana

A subsidiary of Australia’s Sandfire Resources, the mining group has agreed a seven-year leasing agreement with Release, a flexible, soft financing venture majority owned by renewables group, Scatec.

Designed to overcome financial and technical barriers associated with adopting solar energy, Release offers a flexible leasing agreement for re-deployable solar PV and battery equipment to deliver clean, reliable power.

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

The Botswana solar energy project will provide clean renewable energy to Sandfire’s copper producing asset at Motheo, as well as support its decarbonisation ambitions.

In a statement, Release noted that the agreement represents the latest milestone in the expansion of its mining portfolio in Africa.

It also builds on Scatec’s established presence in Botswana following the commissioning of its 120 MW solar portfolio in the country.

“This agreement demonstrates the strength of our lease-to-own solution, where we combine technical expertise with flexible financing to enable our clients to access large-scale solar without upfront capital investment,” said Hans Olav Kvalvaag, CEO of Release.

“Bringing this solution to Botswana for the first time and in partnership with mining operation Motheo, is a major milestone for our company.”

Release will now commence project implementation with start of operations expected by the end of 2026.

Once operational the plant will generate approximately 40 GWh annually and cover about 30% of Motheo’s annual electricity demand.

Motheo is located in the central portion of the Kalahari Copper Belt in Botswana, with output exported via the port of Walvis Bay in neighbouring Namibia.

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Kano rice mill goes hybrid solar

The new installation is expected to lower UMZA’s energy expenses significantly while improving operational stability and performance. (Image source: Empower New Energy)

Empower New Energy, Paras Energy and Huawei have officially inaugurated a hybrid solar PV and battery power system at the UMZA Rice and Oil Mill in Kano, Nigeria.

The new installation is expected to lower UMZA’s energy expenses significantly while improving operational stability and performance.

The project represents a major step forward for distributed clean energy adoption in northern Nigeria. Through this investment, Empower and its partners aim to extend access to dependable and affordable solar power to more businesses across Kano, supporting regional economic growth and job creation.

“This first solar and battery investment in Kano is not only important for UMZA but will also result in wider economic and socially benefits for Nigeria's second largest industrial hub”, commented CEO of Empower New Energy Terje Osmundsen.

Official launch in Kano

The commissioning ceremony was held in Kano, where Empower New Energy joined project partners Paras Energy and Huawei to celebrate the completion of the hybrid solar and battery facility. The event was hosted by UMZA chairman and president of the Kano Rice Mills Organization, Hon. Mohammed Abubakar.

More than 30 business leaders from the region attended, alongside representatives from the Norwegian Embassy and the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), to witness the project and learn more about its impact on industrial energy supply.

Delivering reliable and clean power

The rooftop installation combines 1 MWp of solar PV capacity with a 2.15 MWh battery energy storage system, delivering stable, affordable and environmentally responsible electricity in a region that has historically experienced grid instability.

The project reached completion in under a year following the signing of a 10-year agreement between Empower New Energy and UMZA. Under the agreement, Empower financed, developed and will operate the plant. Paras Energy handled engineering, design, construction and operations, while Huawei supplied the solar PV and battery technology.

Strengthening industrial resilience

UMZA is one of the leading commercial rice producers in the Kano region, playing a critical role in rice cultivation and processing. As demand for rice continues to increase, dependable energy has become essential to maintain high productivity levels and efficient processing operations.

Prior to adopting solar, UMZA faced daily power outages lasting several hours, alongside frequency and voltage fluctuations that disrupted production and increased reliance on costly diesel generators. The new system integrates solar panels, battery storage and grid supply to provide a more stable and cost-effective energy mix.

“We are very satisfied with the operations of the solar and battery plant” said UMZA chairman Hon. Mohammed Abukabar at the event and added “We hope this pioneering initiative will stimulate many businesses in Kano to go solar”.

Beyond operational improvements, the investment is also expected to create employment opportunities and contribute to local economic development in Kano.

Partner perspectives

“At Paras Energy, we are dedicated to pioneering sustainable energy solutions that drive progress and preserve our planet. The innovation and installation at UMZA will make a positive impact on the economy, environment and society, enabling UMZA to not only achieve cost savings but also enhance operational efficiency”, commented Yashwant Kumar, managing director at Paras Energy.

“The solar project demonstrates how integrated battery and solar solutions improve energy reliability, reduce costs and support sustainability at the same time”, says Quan Green, Director for Digital Power, Huawei Nigeria.

“This partnership marks a significant first step in our mission to provide sustainable energy solutions in the economically important Kano region in Nigeria. By empowering UMZA Rice Mill with solar energy, we are not only enhancing their operations but also contributing to the economic resilience of the local region”, says Terje Osmundsen, CEO of Empower New Energy

Jubail Bros Nigeria's on-site power milestone

Celebrating success in Nigeria

Jubail Bros has completed the testing of new MWM gas generator sets at its Nigeria facility - it marks the latest step in a new partnership with the global genset producer

“We’ve successfully completed the factory testing of our first-ever two × 1 MW gas generator sets powered by the MWM TCG2020V12 engine— right here at our Nigeria factory, and in the presence of an MWM representative,” Jubail Bros said in a statement posted on its social media.

“This marks a major step forward in our journey toward high-capacity, efficient gas power solutions, delivered with the quality, precision, and OEM-backed assurance our projects demand.”

The company called it a proud moment for its team “and a strong signal of what’s ahead in gas power execution.”

It added that the new units are part of a larger integrated power package combining gas and diesel generation, synchronisation, and ABB transformers “engineered for reliability, flexibility, and performance.”

Jubaili Bros last year announced its collaboration with MWM, a provider of sustainable gas gensets, to provide large, gas-fuelled electrical power solutions across Africa and the Middle East.

The partnership is to be built around MWM’s expertise in gas engine and gas genset technology as well as the extensive engineering and aftersales network.

As a result of the collaboration, Jubaili Bros will offer MWM gas generators with 42% and above efficiencies ranging from 400 to 4,500kW electrical that are suitable for a range of applications.

“We are confident that this collaboration will enable us to meet the growing demand for gas powered generators in the region,” Dr. Marcus Schumacher, CEO of Jubaili Bros said at the time the collaboration was announced.

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SolarAfrica secures funding for SunCentral 2 solar project

Northern Cape utility-scale solar expands

SolarAfrica has reached financial close on US$81mn to develop SunCentral 2, the next 114 MW phase of its flagship utility-scale solar programme in the Northern Cape

The funding, provided by RMB and Investec Bank Limited, represents a major step in expanding access to affordable, clean energy for South African businesses, with first power expected in 2026.

SunCentral 2 follows SunCentral 1, which also achieved financial close at 114 MW at the end of 2024. Together with SunCentral 3, these projects make up Phase 1 of the broader SunCentral vision, totalling 342 MW. At full build-out, SunCentral is planned to reach 1 GW, establishing it as one of South Africa’s largest solar initiatives designed specifically for one-to-many, bilateral wheeling.

“Businesses want power they can trust – clean, affordable and predictable – and SunCentral is being built exactly for that purpose. It’s encouraging to see the confidence from our funding partners as we move into the next stage of delivery,” said David McDonald, CEO of SolarAfrica.

He added: “More than a big solar project, SunCentral is a long-term infrastructure investment that gives companies the ability to manage their costs, cut emissions, and reduce their reliance on utility power that is often vulnerable to unpredictable tariff hikes. This next step gets us closer to bringing that value to even more South African businesses.”

Like the first plant, SunCentral 2 incorporates community development initiatives to ensure local residents benefit socially and economically. Job creation, education, local procurement, and skills development remain central to the programme, supporting economic activity in the surrounding areas in collaboration with the project’s main contractors.

SunCentral also forms a key part of SolarAfrica’s broader 3 GW wheeling pipeline under development across South Africa. By pairing utility-scale renewable generation with flexible delivery through wheeling, the company is enabling businesses to access green energy without the upfront capital typically required for on-site solar installations.

A portion of funding from each SunCentral project is allocated to the development of the Main Transmission Substation (MTS). Designed for up to 2 GW of green-power evacuation, the MTS will strengthen the national grid and facilitate the connection of future renewable projects more efficiently.

“With wheeling, we have a model that puts control back into the hands of commercial and industrial customers. Instead of just surviving tariff hikes, it allows companies to plan for growth with a cleaner, more dependable energy mix,” said McDonald.

Renewable powered data centres For Mozambique

New subsidiary targets renewable energy driven data centre growth across Mozambique and Southern Africa

Yellow Tulip Inc has announced the launch of Cleanwatts Mozambique, a new majority-owned subsidiary dedicated to building renewable energy-powered data centres in Mozambique and across the Southern African region

The venture is being established in partnership with Memoryvanguard and Nyala Capital.

The new entity will deploy Cleanwatts Digital’s AI-driven energy management platform as the technological backbone of its data centre projects. Designed to optimise energy use, integrate battery storage and coordinate Virtual Power Plant operations, the platform will support the development of sustainable, grid-independent computing infrastructure. This approach aims to address the accelerating demand for AI and cloud computing capacity across Africa.

Mozambique presents a strong case for such investment, offering plentiful renewable energy resources, a strategic coastal location and rising regional demand for digital infrastructure. The country’s extensive hydroelectric generation capacity, strong solar potential and available natural gas reserves create multiple pathways to power high-density, energy-intensive data centre facilities. In addition, its coastline enhances access to submarine cable systems, strengthening connectivity to international networks.

Cleanwatts Mozambique will follow a development-for-sale strategy, focusing on institutional investors and infrastructure operators looking for ready-to-operate, renewable-powered data centre assets. Each facility will be delivered in line with international standards and will incorporate Cleanwatts Digital’s energy management solutions from inception. This ensures that buyers acquire fully operational assets engineered for efficiency, resilience and sustainability from the outset.

"Cleanwatts Mozambique represents a significant expansion of Yellow Tulip's footprint into one of the most promising markets for sustainable infrastructure development," said Basílio Simões, CEO of Yellow Tulip Inc and chairman of Cleanwatts Mozambique. "The convergence of AI-driven compute demand and the global imperative for sustainable infrastructure creates an exceptional opportunity. By combining Mozambique's renewable energy potential with Cleanwatts Digital's proven platform, we are positioned to deliver data center assets that meet the highest standards of performance and sustainability. Our strong pipeline reflects great market interest, and we look forward to bringing these projects to market for institutional investors seeking exposure to Africa's digital infrastructure growth."

Cleanwatts Digital, part of Yellow Tulip’s investment portfolio, supplies the AI-based energy management system that will underpin all Cleanwatts Mozambique developments. The platform currently oversees 1.5 TWh of energy each year across four continents and has a proven track record in enhancing renewable generation performance, managing battery storage systems and balancing complex energy loads.