Energy

MTN boosts Gauteng network with major upgrades

Infrastructure push to expand 5G, enhance site security, and improve service during load shedding

MTN South Africa is investing R300 million (approx. US$17mn) to upgrade its network infrastructure across Gauteng, one of the most populous and economically vital provinces in the country

This initiative is part of a broader national investment plan, with MTN committing R4.5 billion (US$251mn) to its infrastructure rollout, set for completion in 2025. The Gauteng investment includes the addition of new base stations and enhancements to MTN’s digital backbone. Over 70 sites will receive capacity upgrades, modernisation, and energy improvements. The rollout will also bring 5G access and enhancements to existing LTE services, helping to reduce the digital divide between urban and rural communities.

“The R300 million investment, part of the national rollout to enhance the company’s digital capabilities, will lead to improvements in battery, site security, and energy facilities, including the availability of generators across the province,” said Machawe Dlamini, general manager for Gauteng Operations at MTN SA.

According to Dlamini, the development includes network strengthening strategies to maintain service continuity during load shedding and other potential disruptions.

While Gauteng is a focal point, MTN’s upgrade plans extend to other provinces. An additional R480 million (US$27mn) has been allocated for upgrades in KwaZulu-Natal, where the company will build new sites and increase rural access to 4G and 5G services.

MTN South Africa was recently recognised as the country’s top-performing mobile network for Q1 2025, according to MyBroadband Insights. The company aims to retain that position by continuing to expand its physical network infrastructure.

Gauteng contributes around 34% to South Africa’s GDP, making it a strategic priority for the telco. As Dlamini explained, “Our investment in the network infrastructure is a crucial facilitator in connecting the unconnected and fostering a more inclusive digital landscape across South Africa.”

JA Solar powers Zambia’s largest standalone solar plant

JA Solar powers Zambia’s largest standalone solar plant with DeepBlue 4.0 Pro modules

JA Solar has significantly contributed to Zambia’s renewable energy expansion by supplying high-efficiency solar modules for the country’s largest standalone photovoltaic installation — the 100MW Kabwe solar power plant

The facility is equipped exclusively with JA Solar’s DeepBlue 4.0 Pro modules, known for their reliable performance in Zambia’s tough climate, which features extreme heat and seasonal shifts between wet and dry conditions.

The project was constructed by PowerChina and represents a major step forward in Zambia’s clean energy development. At the official launch, president Hakainde Hichilema highlighted the plant’s importance to the country’s energy strategy, noting that it aligns with Zambia’s goal to achieve 1,000MW of installed solar capacity.

Located in Central Province, an area impacted by electricity shortages, the Kabwe plant is expected to generate approximately 180 million kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity each year. This output will support the energy needs of around 150,000 households and reduce the region’s electricity deficit by up to 30%.

Reliable solar solutions

JA Solar’s DeepBlue 4.0 Pro modules offer high energy yield and long-term operational stability. Their proven resilience under extreme conditions enhances the dependability of Zambia’s energy infrastructure and contributes to the country’s broader transition to low-carbon power sources.

The Kabwe solar project is also delivering socioeconomic benefits to the region. More than 1,300 local jobs were created during construction, and the expansion of electricity access is set to stimulate economic growth in industrial, agricultural, and mining sectors.

Building on the earlier success of the 33MW Riverside solar plant commissioned in 2023 — which also uses JA Solar modules — the Kabwe project further reinforces the market’s confidence in the DeepBlue series and its adaptability to varied environmental conditions.

“We are honored to support Zambia’s clean energy development through the Kabwe project,” said Aiqing Yang, executive president of JA Solar. “Their trust in our solutions reflects our commitment to delivering high-efficiency, high-reliability technologies tailored to regional needs. We are focused on creating long-term value for our partners and the communities they serve.”

In 2025, JA Solar received multiple accolades for product performance and innovation. These include “Top Brand PV Africa” by EUPD Research, “Overall Highest Achiever” by the Renewable Energy Test Center (RETC), and “Top Performer” in PVEL’s PV Module Reliability Scorecard. These recognitions affirm JA Solar’s leadership in solar technology excellence.

As Zambia works to diversify its energy mix and improve grid stability, the Kabwe project stands as a major milestone in its clean energy journey. JA Solar’s advanced modules, engineered for performance under local conditions, demonstrate the effectiveness of scenario-based solutions in real-world deployments. The company remains committed to supporting Africa’s sustainable energy future with dependable, high-performing products.

Rwanda electrification draws AfDB funding

Funding boost for Rwanda's electricity sector (Image source: AfDB)

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved €173.84mn (US$201mn) in additional funding in support of electrification efforts in Rwanda

AfDB said in a statement that the goal of its Rwanda Energy Sector Result-Based Financing (RBF II) programme is to modernise the country’s electricity network, expand access to clean energy and strengthen institutional capacity.

In addition, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank will also provide a further €86.92mn (US$101mn), bringing the total programme cost to €260.76mn (US$302mn).

RBF II is anchored on Rwanda’s Energy Sector Strategic Plan 2024–2029, which aims to improve the quality of life of residents, drive economic growth and reduce poverty through targeted energy sector investments, the AfDB noted.

Specifically, it added, the new programme is focused on delivering results in three areas: modernising and extending the electricity network and systems; increasing access to on-grid and off-grid electricity and clean cooking technologies; and strengthening technical and institutional capacity.

It will connect 200,000 households and 850 productive use customers to the national grid, add 50,000 new electricity connections through off-grid solutions, provide clean cooking devices to 100,000 households and 310 public institutions, and install street lighting on 200 km of roads in secondary cities across Rwanda.

AfDB added that the RBF II programme forms part of the bank’s High-5 priority areas of ‘Light up and Power Africa’ and ‘Improve the Quality of Life of the People of Africa’.

Additionally, it will contribute to delivering on the Mission 300 Initiative of the African Development Bank and the World Bank to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030, it noted.

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Powering sustainable dairy production in South Africa

The landmark project represents a significant step forward in combining sustainability with industrial efficiency

Clarke Energy, in collaboration with Moshesh Partners and INNIO Group, has completed the successful installation of a resilient, grid-connected microgrid at Danone South Africa’s dairy production facility

The landmark project represents a significant step forward in combining sustainability with industrial efficiency.

Delivered as a turnkey EPC project, Clarke Energy integrated a new INNIO Jenbacher gas-fired combined heat and power (CHP) plant with the facility’s existing solar photovoltaic (PV) array and diesel backup generators. This hybrid energy system forms the backbone of a flexible and robust solution that is managed by an advanced microgrid controller.

According to Clarke Energy, the controller "dynamically balances energy sources based on cost, availability, and sustainability – ensuring continuous optimisation around the clock."

The microgrid mitigates the effects of South Africa’s ongoing energy supply challenges. By enhancing energy resilience, the installation safeguards dairy production against voltage dips and power outages that frequently affect municipal supply. Clarke Energy noted that “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.”

The project also aligns closely with Danone’s long-term environmental goals. “This solution delivers a 50% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions, aligning with Danone’s Impact Journey, which was re-focused in 2023 to reinforce its commitment to sustainability,” Clarke Energy explained.

Looking ahead, the system has been “designed with hydrogen-readiness in mind,” positioning the facility to meet Danone’s 2050 net-zero emissions target. As South Africa’s foremost producer of fermented dairy products, Danone now enjoys a future-proof, efficient, and secure energy supply.

“Congratulations to our team in South Africa and our partners for delivering this cutting-edge solution.”

Clarke Energy power plant underpins SA industrial output

Danone_South_Africa_industrial_power_Clarke_Energy

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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