Derek Campbell

Can South Africa’s Carbon Tax Drive Wind Energy Adoption? 🌬️🇿🇦 South Africa’s power sector is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Could the nation’s carbon tax be the key to driving wind energy investments? This latest research by Kgalalelo C. M. and Roshelle Ramfol evaluates whether the current carbon tax rate is sufficient to incentivise the adoption of wind energy. Through qualitative analysis and NPV simulations, the study reveals that South Africa’s carbon tax is currently too low to promote meaningful decarbonisation. It proposes an increase of ZAR 869.50 per tonne of CO2 to encourage investment in wind energy, a critical step in transitioning to a sustainable power sector. Explore how higher carbon prices could strengthen South Africa’s renewable energy future and contribute to global decarbonisation efforts. 🌍💨 Read more: https://lnkd.in/dnQNjVZw #WindEnergy #CarbonTax #Decarbonisation #ClimatePolicy #SustainableEnergy #SouthAfrica

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[SPONSORED] CrossBoundary Energy secures US$140M senior debt from the Standard Bank of South Africa to scale renewable energy portfolio across Africa. 🔗 READ MORE HERE: https://lnkd.in/d63Mvvjc Standard Bank South Africa

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CrossBoundary Energy Secures $140M Senior Debt Commitment from Standard Bank Group 🌍 💡 CrossBoundary Energy has closed a landmark $140 million senior debt commitment from Standard Bank of South Africa, marking a significant step in scaling renewable energy adoption for Commercial and Industrial (C&I) clients across Africa. The transaction underscores the critical role of commercial funders in enabling renewable energy solutions for businesses. 🔗 This financing forms the first tranche of a broader mandate, with Standard Bank appointed to lead and arrange up to $300 million senior debt to expand CrossBoundary Energy’s renewable energy portfolio. 💼 CrossBoundary Energy was advised by Cygnum Capital and legal teams from Bracewell LLP and Trinity International, ensuring robust support for this transformative initiative. ⚡ Access to affordable, reliable power remains a challenge for African businesses. According to the IEA, achieving climate goals will require $160 billion in annual energy transition investments by 2030, with private sector contributions playing a vital role. 🌱 Pieter Joubert, President and CIO at CrossBoundary Energy, remarked, "Scalable, affordable infrastructure financing solutions are a catalyst to unlock reliable and affordable power access for businesses on the continent. Our partnership with Standard Bank will allow us to expand and accelerate energy-as-a-service to African customers, ultimately improving the sustainability and competitiveness of businesses across Africa." 📣 Jeanne-Marie Fatti, Senior Vice President: Energy & Infrastructure at Standard Bank, highlighted, "There is a growing need for innovative energy solutions in Africa. Companies like CrossBoundary Energy are addressing this block holistically through energy systems that are financed, distributed, and led by renewables. Standard Bank is committed to supporting pioneers like CrossBoundary Energy on their growth trajectory." Congratulations to Pieter Joubert and Jeanne-Marie Fatti! #RenewableEnergy #Africa #Sustainability #CleanEnergy #ClimateAction

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SkyPower Global Secures 1,000 MW Solar Power Deal with Zambia By Nyembe Chapeshamano | April 26, 2024 In a significant move toward bolstering Zambia's renewable energy capacity, Canada-headquartered independent power producer SkyPower Global has inked a monumental power purchase agreement (PPA) with Zambia’s government-owned utility Zesco Limited. The agreement, announced in a joint press release on Thursday, aims to deliver a staggering 1,000 megawatts (MW) of solar energy to the Southern African nation. The partnership, under the banner of the Green Giant Zambia project, marks a pivotal step towards addressing Zambia's energy needs while simultaneously combating the adverse effects of climate change. President Hakainde Hichilema emphasized the project's critical role in the nation's Integrated Renewable Energy Plan, particularly amid the prevailing drought conditions. With an ambitious target of supplying electricity to approximately 4 million households, the initiative not only promises to meet immediate energy demands but also holds the potential to catalyze job creation and further invigorate Zambia's copper mining-driven economy. While specific details regarding the project remain undisclosed, the magnitude of this endeavour resonates with SkyPower Global's track record in the region. Drawing parallels with the company's 1,000-MW DRC Green Giant project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which transitioned from a PPA with the state-owned utility SNEL to a 200-MW first-phase development agreement earlier this year, the Green Giant Zambia project underscores SkyPower's commitment to advancing renewable energy solutions across Africa. President Hichilema's welcoming stance toward solar energy investments, exemplified by the acknowledgment of UAE's Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company) investment last year, reflects Zambia's earnest endeavour to augment its energy infrastructure. Notably, despite gaining independence, Zambia's energy landscape has witnessed a modest expansion, with only 3,500 MW of generation capacity developed to date. The Green Giant Zambia project, therefore, emerges as a beacon of progress, poised to significantly bolster the nation's renewable energy capacity and propel Zambia towards achieving its industrial productivity aspirations, particularly in the context of the burgeoning copper production sector. As Zambia endeavours to navigate the complexities of energy security and sustainability, partnerships such as the one forged between SkyPower Global and Zesco Limited herald a new era of collaboration and innovation in the renewable energy landscape. With the Green Giant Zambia project poised to become a cornerstone of the nation's energy transition, stakeholders anticipate tangible socio-economic benefits and a paradigm shift towards a more sustainable energy future for Zambia and beyond.

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Energy group’s latest blog, “Navigating the Future of South Africa’s Energy: Insights from the GCCA 2025 Report”, explores the evolving challenges and opportunities associated with national grid capacity. The GCCA 2025 report highlights regional constraints and prompts strategic considerations, offering valuable insights into South Africa’s energy transition. Click on the link below to find out more!  #SouthAfrica #GridCapacity #EnergyTransition

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Energy projects, which are crucial to South Africa’s energy transition, are often situated in rural or outlying areas. Without careful consideration of local dynamics, even the most well-intentioned project can face significant challenges, write Donné Nieman and Michael Le Gassick from Workforce Staffing.

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Only 2% of clean energy investments reached #Africa over the last decade - investments must now be redirected to emerging markets and developing economies (#EMDEs) to achieve the global #3xRenewables target. At the joint IRENA and GRA press briefing at #IRENA14A, Bruce Douglas underscored the importance of unlocking private investments for renewables in #EMDEs through strategic public finance. Read more in Newsday - Zimbabwe’s article: https://lnkd.in/eBxpRTnS Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) | Global Solar Council (GSC) | International Hydropower Association (IHA) | Long Duration Energy Storage Council (LDES Council) | Green Hydrogen Organisation - GH2 | International Geothermal Association

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Grid Africa has secured an equity investment of R50 million ($2.8 million) from Rifuwo Energy Partners to accelerate the development of renewable energy projects across South Africa. The investment comes at a crucial time as the country grapples with rising energy costs and a deepening electricity crisis. With Eskom’s proposed tariff increases of up to 43.55% by mid-2025, Grid Africa aims to address the crisis by expanding its solar energy solutions. Read the full story at https://lnkd.in/dic3Awkm #news #newsupdate #tech #technews #ict #technewsupdate #techworld #techgeek #geek #computer #computernews #computernewsupdate #modernlife #trends #techtrends #computertrends #icttrends #techmagazinenews #globaltech #globaltechnews #globalnewsupdate

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Wise insight in the attached article. The paradox of renewables is that much of abundant potential lies in regions where capital costs are high. #DRC is a potential hydro superpower. East Africa and SE #Asia have abundant geothermal. Many parts of #Africa lowest cost wind/solar potential. The solution is not easy and requires a more bespoke approach to risk reduction and pricing that can be achieved through: a) Partnering with government b) Closer partnership with financiers to help them better understand the risk profile. c) Securing anchor investor who has more to gain than just a cash return eg an investor who can also offtake. d) Tier 1 credible AAA rated FDI and/or foreign government involvement. e) Hollistic planning to ensure value chain gaps are bridged eg through common user infrastructure, incentivising demand as well as supply, ensuring sufficient ancillary infrastructure capacity, get the marketing messaging right and consistent, unify standards and certification...etc The key to all this is partnership. The LNG market and supply chain was created through partnership between customers and suppliers that recognised their mutual dependency and the opportunity to collaborate for mutual benefit. Its better to have a smaller slice of a bigger cake than a bigger share of a cupcake. Many emerging low carbon industries can learn from this. #renewables #greenindustry #costofcapital #Partnering #renewableenergy #greenenergy https://lnkd.in/gB8JdZAy

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💵 As an anchor investor, DEG is supporting its long-standing customer, the African communications infrastructure provider Helios Towers, with USD 55 million in the successful issue of a USD 850 million bond. Other anchor investors are IFC - International Finance Corporation, British International Investment and the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund. The funds raised by Helios Towers will, among other things, replace an existing bond and provide the company with more liquidity for future investments. “The successful placement of USD 850 million is one of the first post-COVID issues by an African company on international capital markets. We are pleased to continue our support for our long-standing partner in difficult environments and to promote the development of African capital markets”, stated Andreas Cremer, Director Infrastructure & Energy Africa/Latin America at DEG. 🌐 📡Helios Towers is one of the leading operators of telecommunication towers in Africa and provides the infrastructure for broadband and internet access. With 14,000 towers in nine countries, the company serves 144 million people. 🚀The mobile telecommunications market is a key driver of development and growth in Africa. It not only enables trade across regional borders, but also simplifies financial transactions. Thanks to mobile banking, many people in African countries can open a bank account for the first time and participate in cashless payment transactions.   #Telecommunications #Mobile #Bonds

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Energy ministers of Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) member countries have pledged to release funds to facilitate the start of cross-border electricity trading next year. Funding is key for various functions, including operationalizing a regulator. https://lnkd.in/dEhYD35Q

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💡 IFC’s $550 Million Investment: A Catalyst for DRC’s Growth The International Finance Corporation's (IFC) $550 million investment into the Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) energy and infrastructure sectors is a game-changer, directly addressing critical gaps that have long hindered sustainable growth. This strategic support is not only improving living standards for Congolese citizens but also stimulating industrial activity, paving the way for broader economic development. By focusing on energy access and infrastructure, these projects are unlocking the country’s vast potential, fostering resilience, and creating a foundation for innovation and diversification. At Soil Solutions, we recognize the importance of robust infrastructure for sustainable growth. Our advanced road stabilization and dust control solutions can complement such initiatives by ensuring durable, cost-effective infrastructure that supports industrial activity while reducing environmental impact. By leveraging our expertise, we aim to contribute to projects that drive development and improve daily life in regions like the DRC. This investment underscores how global partnerships and targeted interventions can catalyze change, turning challenges into opportunities for long-term prosperity. What do you think are the next steps for the DRC to fully capitalize on these investments? Let's collaborate and explore ways to amplify the impact of transformative initiatives like these. #SustainableDevelopment #DRCEnergy #Infrastructure #EconomicGrowth #Innovation #IFCInvestment #SoilSolutions

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How InfraCo Africa aided Helios Investment Partners in closing the $200 million CLEAR Fund The $200 million Africa-focused climate fund known as the Climate, Energy Access and Resilience (CLEAR) Fund has been inspiring hope in the renewable energy sector in Sub-Saharan #Africa since the time it was announced around July 2024. It’s also been inspiring curiosity; people understandably want to know, in great detail, how such a high-profile fund was successfully closed. Such information is, however, arguably scarce. In the latest episode of our podcast, we discuss with Gilles J. Vaes about infrastructure and renewable energy investment firm InfraCo Africa's involvement in closing the $200 million Africa-focused climate fund that is being advised by Helios Investment Partners, who along with InfraCo Africa and Infraco's parent group, the The Private Infrastructure Development Group, are set to close an additional $200 million. 🎧Listen to the full version of InfraCo’s involvement for insights on how you can also close high-profile deals and how the CLEAR Fund could benefit you https://lnkd.in/dF6Gi7yb

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EPRA's biannual statistics report states that Kenya's peak energy demand in the Financial Year 2023/2024 hit 2,170.56 MW. You can read more of the report here >>> https://loom.ly/UhiIvT8 #Energy #Kenya

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Botswana's government has set a national electricity access target of 100 percent by 2030. IFC today announced an investment to finance a 60 MWp solar project developed by Scatec, a leading global renewable energy developer. This will be the largest solar project in Botswana and help the country meet its target of generating at least half its power from renewable sources by 2036. The $31.4 million debt package consists of an innovative dual currency financing with IFC providing $16.4 million and mobilizing up to $15 million equivalent in Botswana Pula from First National Bank of Botswana, acting through its Rand Merchant Bank division. Scatec CEO Terje Pilskog, Nuzhat Anwar In fiscal year 2022, the Botswana Power Corporation electricity imported 45 percent of the country's consumption, mostly from neighboring South Africa. IFC invested in Scatec's 40 MW Mocuba Solar Power Plant, Mozambique's first utility scale solar PV plant, in 2017. More recently, IFC provided an anchor investment of $21 million to Scatec's green bond issuance. They work in more than 100 countries, using their capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2023, IFC committed a record $43.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries. Terje Pilskog Nuzhat Anwar #Sustainability #Sustainable #Sustainableliving #environment #reuse #gogreen #recycling #recycle #Renewableenergy #climateaction #circulareconomy #eco #plasticfree #zerowaste #earth #sustainablebusiness #sustainabledevelopment #sustainablefinance #eco #sustainable #sdg #sdgs #sustainabledevelopmentgoals #innovation #technology #ActonClimate #climateaction #climatecrisis #togetherforourclimate #theclimateconnection #Sustainability #cleanenergy #Renewableenergy #solarpower #windenergy #cleanenergy #Sustainable #innovations #recycling #upcycling #zerowaste #ecofriendly #reusability #repairability #ActionNow #globalwarming #savetheplanet #climateaction #climateemergency https://lnkd.in/eqjGuqz6

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