Energy

Teraco partners with NOA to integrate wind energy, complementing its solar programme and advancing towards 100% renewable energy goals. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Teraco, a Digital Realty company and leading provider of interconnection platforms and vendor-neutral colocation data centres, has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with South African energy aggregator NOA to supply wind-generated renewable energy to its data centres

Building on its commitment to sustainability, Teraco previously announced the construction of a 120MW solar PV plant in the Free State. This new PPA complements its renewable energy programme by incorporating wind power, ensuring a balanced energy mix. The agreement allows both Teraco and NOA to scale renewable energy offtake as demand increases.

Wind energy plays a crucial role in powering data centres that operate around the clock. In South Africa, wind energy generation peaks at night and in the early morning, making it a natural complement to solar, which produces power during daylight hours. By combining these two sources, Teraco enhances its renewable energy coverage.

Bryce Allan, head of sustainability at Teraco, stated, “The conclusion of this PPA supports our sustainable growth pathway. We appreciate NOA’s unique and collaborative approach in complementing Teraco’s renewable energy supply and look forward to a long partnership as we journey towards our 100% renewable energy goal.”

Karel Cornelissen, CEO of NOA, added, “NOA is proud to deliver our suite of renewable energy products to support Africa’s largest data centre operator’s ambitious renewable energy goals. Teraco is an industry leader and continues to set the bar high for renewable energy initiatives across South Africa’s data centre industry. By aggregating renewable energy from our fleet of generation facilities and third-party IPPs, we are well positioned to provide tailored and flexible solutions to help companies, like Teraco, reduce their carbon footprint.”

Renewable Energy Wheeling

Under the agreement, NOA will wheel wind-generated renewable energy from various projects to Teraco’s data centres. This energy will work alongside Teraco’s solar programme to maximise renewable energy use. The projects will gradually scale up, with the first power expected to be delivered in 2026.

Wheeling renewable energy through existing electrical grids allows power generated in high-yield areas to be transmitted to urban end-users. This approach enhances renewable energy deployment and optimises generation potential.

Jan Hnizdo, CEO at Teraco, concluded, “This is an exciting time for Teraco as we take another significant step towards meeting our 100% renewable energy ambitions and those of our clients. We’re looking forward to these new wind generation facilities coming online and adding much-needed new renewable energy production to South Africa’s grid.”

Also read: Is liquid cooling the future of data centres?

More financing is finding its way into Africa's solar power sector (IMAGE SOURCE: Adobe Stock)

SolarAfrica has achieved financial close on the first 114 MW phase of its utility-scale SunCentral solar project after securing R1.8 billion (US$98mn) in investment alongside funding partners Investec and RMB

SunCentral is a large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) plant between Hanover and De Aar in South Africa’s Northern Cape province, to be developed over three phases.

In a statement, SolarAfrica said the investment into SunCentral marks the start of the project’s rollout in South Africa.

Phase 1, consisting of 342 MW, will be delivered through a staged roll-out of three 114 MW facilities and will deliver renewable energy to a diverse range of off-takers by wheeling it through South Africa’s power grid. Phase 2 and 3 will increase SunCentral’s capacity to 1 GW.

Unlike similarly sized projects that offer wheeling on a one-to-one basis (with one generation plant supplying one off-taker), SolarAfrica’s project will offer wheeling on a one-to-many basis, making it available to a wider pool of businesses in South Africa.

“Reaching financial close on the first 114 MW of our utility-scale wheeling development and main transmission substation (MTS) investment marks a significant milestone in our commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions for our customers in the commercial and industrial sectors,” said SolarAfrica’s chief investment officer Charl Alheit.

He said that the size of SunCentral will unlock access to cheaper, greener power for even more businesses across the country.

“We are excited to see this project move forward as we continue contributing to the energy transition while delivering long-term value to our customers."

SolarAfrica is part of the greater Starsight Energy Africa Group. It wants the success of SunCentral to act as a blueprint for similar off-site generation projects in other African markets in which the Starsight Energy Africa Group companies operate.

“The construction of SolarAfrica’s SunCentral is a critical step in our journey to expand clean energy adoption across sub-Saharan Africa, noted Paul van Zijl, group CEO of Starsight Energy Africa Group.

“We are excited to move this project forward and continue delivering long-term value to our customers,” he said.

SolarAfrica is supported by investors African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM) and Helios Investment Partners.

Thor Corry, investment director at AIIM, said reaching financial close on the first 114 MW on SunCentral marked a big milestone for SolarAfrica.

“The modular approach to construct the MTS and plug in subsequent 114 MW modules provides a superb platform for SolarAfrica to scale at pace to meet the needs of the C&I customers in South Africa who want to secure price certainty and cost efficiencies while furthering South Africa’s Just Energy Transition,” he said.

“With South Africa requiring up to 30 GW of new capacity by 2030 to meet its climate commitments and energy needs, projects like this are crucial.”

Read more: Starsight Energy merges with SolarAfrica to form largest C&I solar developer in Africa

WATT Renewable Corporation increased capacity by 17%, improved uptime to 99.5%, and cut 1,329 tonnes of CO₂ through hybrid solar solutions. (Image source: WATT Renewable Corporation)

WATT Renewable Corporation (WATT), a key player in Africa’s hybrid solar solutions sector, achieved major milestones in 2024, cutting 1,329 tonnes of CO₂ emissions through its 233 hybrid solar and storage systems

The company expanded its installed capacity by 17% to 2.31MWh and boosted uptime to 99.50% at remote sites in Nigeria, reducing dependence on diesel generators.

Throughout 2024, WATT installed 37 new systems—a 16% increase—including 11 financial sector sites and 26 telecom sites. The telecom sector accounted for 70% of its total new capacity, aligning with Nigeria’s National Broadband Plan, which aims to expand digital access and unlock opportunities in education, healthcare, and economic growth, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

Enhancing power reliability

Technological innovation was also a key focus, as WATT transitioned from traditional Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid (VRLA) batteries to advanced Lithium-Ion Battery (LIB) technology. This upgrade enhances energy storage by delivering longer-lasting power, quicker recharging, and improved reliability, ensuring businesses and communities remain resilient against grid disruptions.

“2024 was a milestone year for WATT,” said CEO Oluwole Eweje. “Our US$15mn partnership with AFRIGREEN and other strategic investments have driven market expansion and provided substantial benefits to businesses nationwide. By helping clients cut energy costs by 25-30%, we’ve enabled them to reinvest in growth, drive innovation, and gain greater energy independence. These achievements reflect our commitment to transforming Nigeria’s energy landscape with reliable, cost-efficient solutions that deliver real impact.”

WATT’s growth in 2024 was driven by its people-first philosophy. The company’s workforce expanded by 40%, with women representing 14% of that growth, emphasizing its commitment to diversity. Additionally, WATT empowered local communities by providing hands-on training to individuals in underserved areas, including security guards and janitors, equipping them with valuable skills for long-term employment.

This community-driven approach also extended to off-grid rural regions, where WATT installed solar-powered charging stations and security lighting, enhancing safety and accessibility.

Highlighting WATT’s commitment to local empowerment, Chief Business Officer Sherisse Alexander stated: “The growth of our team, particularly the increase in female employees, reflects the incredible talent potential here in Nigeria. By prioritising local talent, we’re empowering communities, supporting skills development, and fostering resilience in areas that need it most. This is about creating opportunities that directly benefit Nigerians, both within our company and across the areas where we operate.”

Also read: Financing costs still a barrier to scaling up power in Africa, says IEA