Energy

Clarke Energy power plant underpins SA industrial output

Danone South Africa's industrial power plant (Image source: Clarke Energy)

African Review has obtained images from the new industrial power plant recently supplied to Danone South Africa by Clarke Energy

Commissioned at the end of last year, the facility is now working to power the food giant’s dairy production site in Anderbolt, Boksburg, providing a resilient, grid-connected microgrid solution that embraces a mix of energy systems and technologies.

The project was delivered in partnership with Austrian power generation firm, INNIO Group, and Moshesh Partners, a Johannesburg-based investment fund manager focused on clean energy and infrastructure work.

Clarke Energy delivered the system as a turnkey EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) project, integrating a new INNIO Jenbacher gas-fired combined heat and power (CHP) plant with the site’s existing solar PV installation and diesel backup generators to create what it called a “flexible and robust” energy solution.

The facility utilises two Jenbacher J616 containerised engines and the Jenbacher microgrid controller, providing a total capacity of 5 MWe.

Clarke Energy is an authorised distributor for INNIO’s Jenbacher engines.

Managed by an advanced microgrid controller, the system dynamically balances energy sources based on cost, availability and sustainability – ensuring continuous optimisation around the clock, according to a Clarke Energy statement.

“The microgrid significantly enhances energy resilience, protecting operations from frequent voltage dips and outages in the municipal supply, and enabling uninterrupted 24/7 dairy production,” it noted.

As South Africa’s leading producer of fermented dairy products, Danone also benefits from a more efficient and secure energy supply at a time when power outages have undermined industrial output and economic activity at a national level.

When the project was first announced in late 2023, a Danone executive said the Jenbacher microgrid solution would empower the company to become independent from the electricity grid supply.

It would also allow it to integrate a broad selection of distributed energy resources (DERs), such as renewables and storage devices, while ensuring business continuity, INNIO’s president and CEO Dr. Olaf Berlien noted.

The Jenbacher engines are operating on natural gas but can be converted to hydrogen as soon as sufficient hydrogen is available, Berlien added.

Due to insufficient power-generation capacity, there is “significant interest” in decentralised CHP engine plants, according to an INNIO statement.

The instability of South Africa’s grid, the ambition to reduce carbon emissions and the proposed return on investment motivated Danone to drive energy efficiency with CHP technology while producing distributed power and heat for their industrial process, it added.

Designed with hydrogen-readiness in mind, the power plant solution delivers a 50% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions, aligning with Danone’s own Impact Journey, and represents a major step towards its 2050 net-zero target.

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Rolls-Royce unveils hydrogen-powered terminal energy system

Rolls-Royce powers Duisburg Terminal with world’s first 100% hydrogen CHP energy system. (Image source: mtu solutions)

In a major milestone for sustainable infrastructure, Rolls-Royce and Duisburger Hafen AG have inaugurated a fully CO₂-neutral and self-sufficient energy system at the new Duisburg Gateway Terminal

Officially launched at the beginning of July 2025, this pioneering installation sets a new benchmark for integrated green energy solutions in logistics.

At the core of the system are two mtu combined heat and power (CHP) plants, developed for 100% hydrogen operation and deployed here for the first time globally. Supporting technologies include an mtu battery storage system, mtu hydrogen fuel cells, and a 1.3 MWp photovoltaic (PV) array — all integrated by a sophisticated energy management system.

The installation forms part of the Enerport II lighthouse project, funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy. It is seen as a blueprint for future sustainable energy systems at ports, industrial complexes, and infrastructure facilities. Project collaborators include the Fraunhofer Institute UMSICHT, Westenergie Netzservice GmbH, Netze Duisburg GmbH, Stadtwerke Duisburg AG, and Stadtwerke Duisburg Energiehandel GmbH.

Dr Jörg Stratmann, CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems, commented, “The opening of this CO2-neutral energy system at the Duisburg Gateway Terminal is a milestone on the way to a more climate-friendly, resilient energy supply. Together with our partner duisport, we will show how scalable technologies from Rolls-Royce can contribute concretely to the transformation of critical infrastructures and thus also to the implementation of the energy transition.”

Markus Bangen, CEO of Duisburger Hafen AG, emphasised, “Sustainability is an integral part of our corporate strategy and thus obligation to act responsibly and forward-looking. With this self-sufficient and CO2-neutral energy system, we also have a clear competitive advantage.”

Hydrogen-powered port

The intelligent microgrid provides energy for the 33-football-field-sized terminal, supplying crane systems, charging stations, and shore power. When solar output from the PV system exceeds demand, the surplus is stored in the mtu EnergyPack. In periods of low sunlight, mtu hydrogen CHP units and fuel cell systems ensure a stable, emission-free supply.

Alexander Garbar, head of corporate development at Duisport, noted,“Our microgrid runs reliably and shows that it is possible to supply such a large port terminal completely independently with green energy.”

Rolls-Royce’s involvement in the Enerport II project also marks the debut of its newly enhanced 12-cylinder mtu Series 4000 gas engines, now running on 100% hydrogen. Each engine delivers 1MW of output and demonstrates impressive performance, efficiency, and emissions results — continuing the legacy of mtu power systems.

Looking ahead, Rolls-Royce is collaborating with research centres and industry partners to develop next-generation hydrogen combustion engines capable of reaching power levels of up to 2.5MW, matching today’s larger natural gas CHP plants.

“As part of the expansion of renewable energies, the German government has decided to build further gas-fired power plants with the power plant strategy. Modular gas-fired power plants and smaller, decentralized gas engine systems can compensate for the feed of wind and solar power into the grid, which fluctuates depending on the weather, and efficiently contribute to ensuring security of supply. Rolls-Royce mtu gas engines already provide reliable power and heat supply in many places in Europe. In the UK, even a fleet of more than 500 mtu gas units supports the UK energy transition. Once sufficient availability of green hydrogen is ensured, mtu gas units such as in Duisburg can also contribute significantly to CO2 reduction with 100% hydrogen or even with a hydrogen admixture,” remarked Michael Stipa, senior vice-president of business development and product management for stationary energy solutions at Rolls-Royce.

The project showcases how advanced hydrogen-ready technologies, combined with intelligent systems and public-private collaboration, can power industrial progress while supporting global climate goals.

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REA and NCC unite for rural development

REA and NCC form joint committee to boost rural power and digital access

In a significant move toward bridging Nigeria’s rural energy and digital divide, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have officially inaugurated a joint strategy and steering committee

This initiative follows extensive consultations and strategic alignment between both agencies and marks a new chapter in collaborative infrastructure development.

The core objective of the partnership is to address the intertwined challenges of limited electricity access and poor digital connectivity in Nigeria’s underserved and unserved communities. These twin gaps have long stifled socioeconomic progress, limiting access to education, healthcare, financial inclusion and broader opportunities for rural populations.

By leveraging REA’s proven track record in delivering sustainable energy solutions and NCC’s mandate to expand telecommunications reach, the initiative seeks to deploy integrated infrastructure that can simultaneously provide power and digital access. This approach aims to accelerate the delivery of modern services in rural areas, creating a strong foundation for inclusive development.

“Whether it is powering a base station or enabling a child to access digital learning, this partnership has the potential to transform realities and bring opportunity closer to the people,” commented executive vice-president and CEO of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida. “This initiative is about more than infrastructure, it is about driving inclusion, bridging inequalities, and creating the conditions for shared prosperity.”

This joint initiative not only promotes synergy between two critical government agencies but also sets a new benchmark for integrated infrastructure planning in Nigeria. It is a forward-thinking effort that recognises the need for holistic solutions in transforming rural communities and advancing national prosperity.

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Diesel power plant put to work at Kodal’s Bougouni lithium mine

Powering Mali's mining industry forward

As Mali’s flagship Bougouni lithium project gears up for its first exports, the mine’s diesel power plant is being put to work

In January, London-listed developer Kodal Minerals announced that the thermal power generation facility was now operational, paving the way for commissioning of the stage 1 Dense Media Separation (DMS) processing plant.

The project is being heavily funded by Hainan Mining, a subsidiary of Chinese investment conglomerate, Fosun International, which is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

The power plant itself is 100% diesel, with the mine site operations drawing around 3MW continuous power from six 1000kW, Cummins KTA50-G3 installed units.

In the company’s annual report for the year ended 31 March 2024, Kodal Minerals stated that with the absence of reticulated power in the Bougouni region, a 5MW diesel power plant was procured from Jiangsu Fukangsi in China, comprising Cummins engines.

“The power solution will include in its design the installation of complementary solar power, however due to the short time frame for project construction the solar circuit will be deferred into the future; likely after 12 months of operation,” the report notes.

The generators arrived on site in southern Mali in mid-December 2024, with the project team moving swiftly to complete the installation, cabling and testing of the equipment to achieve first power by late January 2025.

At the time, Bernard Aylward, CEO of Kodal Minerals, commended his site team, noting that they had “performed fantastically to successfully finish the installation of the power generation plant and achieve the important ‘Power-On’ milestone at Bougouni.”

He added that piping and electrical cabling continued to advance, ahead the commissioning of the DMS processing plant.

In the company’s most recent update, on 30 June, Kodal Minerals announced that an off-take agreement for the spodumene concentrate produced by the stage 1 DMS plant had been signed between its local subsidiary, Les Mines de Lithium de Bougouni, and Hainan Mining, the exclusive buyer for a period of four years.

Aylward also added that discussions with the Mali government to secure the export permit for the spodumene concentrate were continuing.

The export of the spodumene, an important source of lithium, will take place via the Port of Abidjan in Côte d'Ivoire, before final export on to China.

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ENGIE fully commissions largest wind farm in Africa

ENGIE completes Africa’s largest wind project ahead of schedule in Egypt’s Ras Ghareb. (Image source: ENGIE)

ENGIE has officially announced the full commissioning of the Red Sea Wind Energy wind farm in Ras Ghareb, Egypt. With a total installed capacity of 650 MW, it now stands as the largest operational wind farm in the Middle East and Africa

This significant milestone follows the completion of a 150MW expansion, delivered four months ahead of schedule. The expansion increased the total capacity from 500MW to 650MW. The project progressed through several commissioning phases: 306MW came online in December 2024, followed by 194MW in April 2025, and the final 150MW in June 2025. Initially slated for the third quarter of 2025, the grid connection of the entire 650MW capacity was successfully achieved by June 2025.

The Red Sea Wind Energy project is also notable for its health and safety standards, having completed 7 million hours of work without a lost time injury. Once fully operational, the wind farm is expected to supply renewable electricity to over one million homes, reducing carbon emissions by approximately 1.3 million tons annually.

A 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) has been signed with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC), ensuring long-term revenue stability for the project.

The development was led by the Red Sea Wind Energy consortium, comprising ENGIE (35%), Orascom Construction PLC (25%), Toyota Tsusho Corporation (20%), and Eurus Energy Holdings Corporation (20%). Financing was arranged through the Japan Bank for International Corporation (JBIC), with coordination from Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, the Norinchukin Bank, Société Générale S.A, under a Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI) cover, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

Paulo Almirante, ENGIE executive vice-president in charge of renewable & flexible power, stated, "This achievement demonstrates our Group's industrial performance and our ability to develop large-scale renewable projects in record time. It also illustrates the strength of our consortium and its contribution to decarbonizing Egypt's energy mix. With the commissioning of Red Sea Wind Energy, ENGIE now operates nearly 1GW of wind power capacity in Egypt, consolidating our position as a leader in the renewable energy sector in Africa and the Middle East."

ENGIE is also advancing plans for a new wind farm exceeding 900 MW near the Red Sea Wind Energy site, continuing its development efforts with the same consortium.

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