Grid Africa partners with TCL Solar to deploy distributed energy solutions in Zimbabwe, Zambia

In a significant move to tackle the growing energy crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa, Grid Africa has joined forces with TCL Solar to introduce cutting-edge distributed energy solutions across Zimbabwe and Zambia

This partnership aims to harness solar and battery storage technologies to rapidly improve energy security and stimulate economic growth in the region.

Sub-Saharan Africa is grappling with a severe energy shortage, with numerous countries struggling to meet the increasing demand for stable electricity.

Norman Moyo, CEO of Grid Africa, stressed the importance of adopting innovative solutions.

"There is a solution to the crisis if we embrace new emerging technologies that are immediately available and quick to deploy. We have a unique opportunity to reverse engineer our over-reliance on utilities by deploying distributed solutions that leverage existing transmission and distribution infrastructure. Just as we successfully revolutionised telecommunications with GSM technology, we can apply the same mindset to solve our energy security challenges."

The company reported a drop in Scope 1 emissions. (Image source: Siemon)

The Siemon Company has announced a major step forward in its sustainability efforts, achieving a 52.5% absolute reduction in its combined Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions between 2021 and 2024

This achievement highlights Siemon’s ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility and reinforces its long-term goal of operating more sustainably while ensuring consistent, reliable product delivery for its global customers.

The company reported a drop in Scope 1 emissions from 271 to 195 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, and a significant reduction in Scope 2 emissions from 1,163 to 486 tonnes over the same period.

These improvements are the result of a comprehensive strategy that included extensive energy audits to identify and address inefficiencies, a shift toward renewable energy, especially solar power, and widespread upgrades to lighting and HVAC systems to enhance overall energy efficiency. Siemon also rolled out robust waste reduction and recycling initiatives and made targeted improvements to its manufacturing processes to support lower energy consumption and emissions.

These efforts form part of the company’s broader ESG strategy, which includes setting science-based targets and collaborating with supply chain partners on sustainable practices.

Looking ahead, Siemon plans to continue investing in advanced energy technologies and maintain its transparent reporting practices to ensure accountability and help customers meet their own climate goals.

“We are proud to announce this significant reduction in our GHG emissions as a critical step in our decarbonisation journey. Our commitment to innovative energy solutions and continuous improvement in operational efficiency is a testament to our proactive approach in addressing climate change. By investing in renewable energy, optimising processes, and engaging in comprehensive energy audits, we are setting new benchmarks for sustainability in our industry and building a more resilient and efficient supply chain to better serve our customers in the long run”, said John Siemon, chief technology officer and chief operations officer, Siemon.

Linz Electric SpA has acquired a 60% stake in KWG. (Image source: Linz electric)

Linz Electric SpA has acquired a 60% stake in KW Generator GmbH (KWG), marking a significant milestone in their nearly two-decade-long partnership

The move brings together two respected European manufacturers and blends Italian innovation with German engineering to address evolving global energy challenges.

The two companies offer highly complementary alternator product lines, and this strategic alliance results in one of the world’s most complete portfolios for power generation.

Their combined capabilities span a wide range of applications, from traditional generator sets to solutions supporting the energy transition, including mobile refrigeration, earthmoving machinery, and other equipment requiring continuous, reliable and flexible power.

New opportunities

With energy reliability and system resilience gaining renewed global importance, the strengthened partnership allows Linz Electric and KWG to pool expertise, resources and vision to deliver tangible solutions worldwide.

KWG brings advanced technologies and long-standing relationships with OEMs in sectors such as material handling, heavy-duty equipment, and extreme operating environments.

Linz Electric, part of the Pedrollo Group, contributes a well-established international distribution network and a direct presence in the US, opening up fresh opportunities and customer segments for KWG.

The acquisition reinforces Linz Electric’s position as a key player in a rapidly changing energy landscape, where innovation and strategic collaboration are central to long-term growth and competitiveness.

This partnership also strengthens the Pedrollo Group’s energy business. With annual revenues of US$540mn (€500mn), the group is increasingly recognised not only in water management and applied technologies but also as an influential force in the energy transition.

Giulio Pedrollo, CEO of the Pedrollo Group and founder of Linz Electric, said, "After years of collaboration, I am excited about the opportunities this transaction offers: the partnership between Linz Electric and KWG is a clear example of how international cooperation between companies that share values, vision and expertise can generate new opportunities for growth and development. Together, we are ready to face the great challenges of global energy transformation. We will continue to invest with determination in innovation, quality and customer service, while keeping our production roots firmly anchored in our home territories. For us, this project represents a concrete testimony to the value of European manufacturing excellence, capable of competing and innovating on an international scale."

Michael Werner, CEO and shareholder of KWG, added, "With Linz as our majority partner, we are confident in our ability to address the competitive landscape and capitalize on new growth opportunities. This partnership demonstrates our commitment to providing superior products and services to our customers."

Michael Kurz, technical director of KWG, said, "This collaboration with Linz is a strategic move that will allow us to leverage their extensive distribution network and technical know-how. Together, we can achieve greater innovation and offer even better service to our customers globally."

Ivanhoe Mines announces record copper production and increased power at Kamoa-Kakula, DRC

Ivanhoe Mines announces record copper production at Kamoa-Kakula, DRC, and increased power supply

Ivanhoe Mines executive co-chairman Robert Friedland and president and CEO Marna Cloete have announced that the Phase 1, 2, and 3 concentrators at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) achieved a combined monthly production record of 50,176 tonnes of copper in concentrate during April. The concentrators processed 1.35 million tonnes of ore with an average feed grade of 4.19% copper.

The newly ramped-up Phase 3 concentrator exceeded its design rate, achieving a recovery rate of 87.4% in April, surpassing its 86% target. Since mid-March, copper production has increased to an average of approximately 12,000 tonnes per week, which equates to an annualised production rate of roughly 625,000 tonnes, exceeding the midpoint of 2025 production guidance by about 12%.

Power boosts production

This outperformance was supported by initiatives in the first quarter that enabled the Phase 3 concentrator to be consistently fed at higher rates. In the first quarter, Phase 3 milled a record 1.51 million tonnes of ore, equivalent to an annualised milling rate of 6.1 million tonnes, more than 20% above its design capacity of 5 million tonnes per year.

The DRC operation reached a significant milestone in the first quarter, with a notable increase in imported hydroelectric power, which gave Kamoa-Kakula’s management the confidence to proceed with the final commissioning of the smelter. The start-up of the new on-site copper smelter is expected in the coming weeks.

During the first quarter, power demand for the Phase 1, 2, and 3 operations ranged from 130 MW to 140 MW. At the start of March, Kamoa-Kakula was drawing 50 MW from domestic hydropower and another 50 MW from imported sources. The remaining power was provided by on-site, diesel-generated backup power, with a capacity of around 160 MW. Power requirements for the smelter will increase gradually, from 45 MW during the first concentrate feed, to 70 MW once at full capacity.

In March, a power agreement was reached to increase imported hydroelectric power via the Zambia-DRC interconnector, resulting in an additional 20 MW, which increased to 70 MW by April. Combined with about 50 MW of domestic hydropower, Kamoa-Kakula now has around 150 MW of stable hydropower, enough to power the Phase 1, 2, and 3 operations. Further increases in grid power are expected throughout 2025 as the smelter ramps up. The extra power will be largely sourced from Mozambique via a wheeling agreement through the Southern Africa Power Pool network.

As previously announced, wet commissioning of Turbine #5 at Inga II, with a generation capacity of 178 MW, is expected to begin in the second half of 2025. Once commissioned, Kamoa-Kakula will receive an additional 71 MW of hydroelectric power, which will increase to 178 MW as grid improvement initiatives are completed in 2026.