Cost is one of the main reasons why farmers are struggling to adopt energy-saving technologies. Charl du Plessis, head of project development at Energy Partners Solar, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the company’s solution to this problem and new developments in solar power.
Tell us more about energy partners
Energy Partners was founded in 2008 in response to South Africa’s first energy crisis, which resulted in widespread load shedding that started at the end of 2007. We initially offered management consultancy services with a degree of actual implementation, advising businesses on ways to improve their energy efficiency and implementing behavioural change processes and the use of improved technologies, such as LED lights, power factor correction, voltage optimisation, and refrigeration control optimisation. Our services helped Pick n Pay to almost halve its energy consumption.
In 2014, we expanded our services to address the affordability issue by offering turn-key engineer, procure, construct solar, refrigeration, steam, water and fuel as utilities by way of various power and utility purchase agreements.
Tell us more about PSG's involvement with the company
PSG Alpha Investments is a subsidiary of the PSG Group, with a mandate to support companies with exceptional growth potential. It has held the majority share in Energy Partners since 2011, after which it has made substantial investments in the company.
How has energy partners performed in recent years?
Revenue has grown by 82% over the past five years to R561 million and is predicted to grow to R790 million in the 2019 financial year.
What makes energy partners solar different from its competitors?
We have integrated technology and financial structuring to an unprecedented level in the commercial, industrial and agricultural markets in sub-Saharan Africa. As far as we know, we have the biggest solar power purchase agreement footprint in Africa. In other words, we’re able to generate power more cheaply than the grid, with complete ownership flexibility for our clients.
Denne historien er fra November 09, 2018-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra November 09, 2018-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Syngenta Seedcare celebrates a decade of innovation
Syngenta's ambition is to enable their customers' investments to grow in healthy soil from treated seeds to young plants through innovation and collaboration, writes Magda du Toit.
Agri workers shine at Western Cape awards
Lindie-Alet van Staden, a garden and olive orchard manager at L’Ormarins Wine Estate in Franschhoek, was crowned as the Western Cape Prestige Agri-Worker of 2024 at a gala event recently held near Paarl.
Small and large farmers recognised at grain awards
The annual Grain SA/Syngenta awards ceremony bears testimony to the quality of farmers in the grain industry.
Growing partnerships: Fedgroup's flexible and innovative approach
Janine Ryan spoke to Warren Winchester, general manager of impact investing at Fedgroup, about why the company became involved in agriculture, and what it offers farmers and their immediate communities.
Why fish farms fail, and how to avoid becoming a statistic
The popularity of launching fish farms is not matched by their success. Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions, explores the factors that cause most of these businesses to go under.
Where history and modernity meet in a luxurious setting
Brian Berkman kept his eyes peeled for ghosts in the oldest continuously run hotel in South Africa, but all he found was a fabulous two-night stay.
THE HITCHING POST
I'm a stylish elderly lady with a radiant glow and a good sense of humour that keeps me young at heart.
Cutworms: check the weeds on your fields!
Zunel van Eeden explains why understanding the ecological interplay between cutworms and weeds is crucial for effective pest management. Producers should disrupt the life cycle of cutworms to minimise crop damage.
Does high-density grazing mimic grazing patterns of game?
In their paper on high-density grazing in Southern Africa, professors Angelinus Franke and Elmarie Kotzé from the Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences at the University of the Free State say high-density grazing systems may not accurately reflect natural ecosystems. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
Global grain outlook: 2024/25 marketing season
In its latest summer crops report, the Crop Estimates Committee says South African farmers intend to plant 4,47 million hectares of summer grains and oilseeds in the 2024/25 season, up 1% from the previous season. As South Africa exports maize and soya bean, Annelie Coleman reports on the latest trends in the international grain and oilseed markets, amid fluctuations in weather conditions and ongoing armed conflicts.
