Sasol's Secunda power plant in South Africa. (Image source: Sasol)

GE Vernova has completed a modernisation project at Sasol’s Secunda power plant in Mpumalanga, South Africa

The scope of work involved replacing the existing pre-combustor system with a new DLN1+ combustor, supplemented by the Fuel Gas Module (FGM) skid, to enhance the operational efficiency of the two installed 9E gas turbines and reduce carbon emissions.

In a statement, GE Vernova highlighted that the project serves as a model for modernising power plants across Africa by boosting operational efficiency and reducing NOx emissions.

The project is also expected to yield water consumption savings equivalent to about 64 Olympic-sized swimming pools per turbine annually.

“This project exemplifies our purpose to electrify the world," said Joseph Anis, president and CEO of GE Vernova's Gas Power business in Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

The statement further noted that innovation and technologies will enable more efficient energy production with reduced emissions, without the need for entirely new infrastructure.

“Building on our advanced combustion technologies, we are helping Sasol address South Africa’s energy needs more efficiently. Together, we are demonstrating how advanced technologies can deliver tangible benefits for both businesses and communities,” remarked Anis.

Other benefits of the Secunda upgrade include extended maintenance intervals, which reduce downtime and operational costs, along with improved reliability of the power supply delivered to the national grid.

The upgrade also improved efficiency compared to the previous combustor, resulting in approximately 10,000 metric tons less CO2 emissions per gas turbine, supporting Sasol’s environmental goals, GE Vernova reported.

For over a century, GE has contributed to the development of Africa’s energy infrastructure, supporting power generation, transmission and distribution, energy sector software applications, and community outreach.

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Daystar installs 532kWp solar system at Nexans’ Tema factory, supplying 55% of daytime electricity. (Image source: Daystar Power)

Daystar Power has successfully completed the commissioning of a 532kWp grid-tied solar energy system at Nexans’ factory in Tema, Ghana. Nexans is a renowned global provider of cable systems and energy solutions

The project features 918 photovoltaic (PV) panels in a fully ground-mounted layout—the first of its kind installed by Daystar Power in Ghana. This solar array is projected to generate 47.7 MWh annually, supplying up to 55% of the factory’s daytime electricity needs. Equipped with an ENcombi controller, the system efficiently synchronises with both the national grid and on-site generators, ensuring 99.9% uptime and enabling proactive maintenance.

“Companies in Ghana face the pressing need to decarbonise their operations. Nexans is a great example of how companies can adopt solar energy to meet their carbon emissions targets and drive energy cost savings,” said Victor Ezenwoko, Ghana country head of Daystar Power. “We couldn’t be prouder to have our first ground-mounted system in Ghana located in the country’s leading manufacturing hub.”

Nexans' new solar power system is a key component of its broader sustainability strategy to lower emissions and reduce reliance on conventional power sources at its Ghanaian facility.

“At Nexans Kabelmetal, we are committed to integrating sustainable energy solutions into our operations, and this new solar system is a significant step towards achieving our environmental goals. Our partnership with Daystar Power exemplifies our dedication to innovation and sustainability as we work towards our goal of net-zero emissions by 2050,” said Alexander Quarcoopome, CEO of Nexans Kabelmetal.

Small home solar kits are transforming energy access across Africa (Image credit: Adobe Stock)

Off-grid solar provider Sun King has secured an US$80mn fully Naira-denominated loan to scale energy access in Nigeria

The financing, in partnership with IFC and Stanbic IBTC Bank, will enable more households and small businesses to adopt clean, reliable solar power without prohibitive upfront costs.

“Off-grid solar provides the fastest and most scalable pathway to universal electrification across Africa,” said Anish Thakkar, Sun King’s co-founder.

“This investment exemplifies the kind of bold, all-hands-on-deck approach required to deliver reliable, affordable energy to millions at the pace Mission 300 calls for. With structured financing tailored to local needs, we can dismantle affordability barriers and scale up the proven impact of off-grid solar solutions.”

By combining public and private capital, the funding allows Sun King to extend local currency loans through its pay-as-you-go model while mitigating foreign exchange risks.

This enables customers to pay in small instalments, which improves affordability and capital efficiency, particularly for low-income and rural consumers.

Sun King designs, distributes and finances solar systems across over 40 countries.

With a network of more than 29,500 agents across Africa, it has already sold over 27 million solar products, from home systems that offer multi-room lighting and phone charging to more powerful rooftop systems.

Via flexible pay-as-you-go payment options, customers repay the cost of the solar systems over 12 to 24 months through daily, weekly, or monthly instalments.

Customers can pay as little as US$0.21 a day via mobile money or cash, a model that lowers the financial barrier to energy and broadens access among underserved communities.

To date, Sun King has extended US$1.2bn in loans to its customers across Africa.

The new loan facility will support Sun King's expansion in Nigeria, especially in hard-to-reach communities.

Currently, nearly 40% of the population still lack access to electricity, though demand for affordable solar solutions is advancing rapidly.

“Millions of Nigerians still live without reliable access to electricity, which limits opportunity and undermines resilience,” said Dahlia Khalifa, IFC regional director for Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa. “This investment enables scalable local-currency solutions that empower households and businesses with clean, affordable solar power.”

The investment aligns with Nigeria’s Country Partnership Framework with the World Bank Group and contributes to Mission 300, a joint initiative with the African Development Bank launched in 2025 to expand electricity access across Africa.

Oladele Sotubo of Stanbic Bank IBTC Capital Ltd said the move will empower millions of Nigerians with access to clean, reliable and affordable solar energy who would otherwise struggle to access power.

“By enabling households and small businesses to access solar power through flexible financing options, we are helping to build a more inclusive and sustainable future for Nigeria.”

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Electric cars to make up over 40% of global market by 2030

Electric vehicles (EVs) are poised to represent more than 40% of global car sales by 2030 as prices continue to fall and adoption expands across markets, according to the International Energy Agency’s latest Global EV Outlook

The report highlights that, despite economic uncertainties, EV sales have maintained strong momentum worldwide, surpassing key milestones and reshaping the automotive industry.

Global electric car sales are on course to exceed 20 million in 2025, accounting for more than a quarter of all cars sold. In 2024, EV sales reached over 17 million, pushing their global market share above 20% for the first time, as previously forecasted by the IEA. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, sales rose 35% year-on-year, with major and emerging markets recording record-breaking performances.

China remains the global leader, with electric cars comprising nearly half of all new car sales in 2024. The country sold more than 11 million electric cars, equal to the worldwide total in 2022. Other fast-growing markets include Asia and Latin America, where sales surged over 60% in 2024.

In the United States, EV sales rose by around 10%, with battery-powered models making up over one in ten new cars. Meanwhile, Europe’s growth plateaued due to the phaseout of subsidies and support schemes, although the region’s EV market share remained stable at around 20%.

Affordability is key

“Our data shows that, despite significant uncertainties, electric cars remain on a strong growth trajectory globally. Sales continue to set new records, with major implications for the international auto industry,” said IEA executive director Fatih Birol. “This year, we expect more than one in four cars sold worldwide to be electric, with growth accelerating in many emerging economies. By the end of this decade, it is set to be more than two in five cars as EVs become increasingly affordable.”

According to the report, affordability remains a key driver of adoption. The global average price of a battery electric vehicle (BEV) declined in 2024 due to increased competition and falling battery costs. In China, two-thirds of EVs sold were cheaper than their petrol or diesel counterparts, even without subsidies. However, the price gap persists elsewhere, BEVs were on average 20% more expensive than conventional vehicles in Germany and 30% higher in the United States.

Operating costs, however, continue to favour EVs. Even if oil prices dropped to US$40 per barrel, charging an electric car at home in Europe would still cost about half as much as fuelling a petrol or diesel car, based on current energy prices.

The report notes that nearly one-fifth of electric cars sold globally are imported, with China exporting around 1.25 million units in 2024, many to emerging markets where these imports have driven down retail prices.

A special section of the report focuses on electric trucks, which saw global sales rise by 80% last year, reaching nearly 2% of total truck sales. This growth was led by China, where cost-competitive heavy-duty electric trucks are gaining traction thanks to lower lifetime operating costs, despite higher upfront prices.