Distributed Power Africa (DPA), a subsidiary of Econet
Wireless Global, and EDF (Électicité De
France) a world leading electricity
company, have signed partnership cooperation agreement to jointly develop Commercial
and Industrial (C&I) and hybrid energy solutions to the African market.
The collaboration
is expected to focus on the development of distributed-energy solutions based
on solar panels associated with energy back-up systems such as batteries. Both
companies plan to deploy their solutions in sub-Saharan Africa, which initially
includes South Africa, Ivory Coast and Nigeria, with the intention to expand
into other key markets.
DPA and EDF plan to set up power
businesses in various African countries with countries like Nigeria and Ivory
Coast high on their priority list. They
intend to accelerate the deployment and roll-out of Green energy across Africa,
with EDF acting as a technology partner for DPA projects in Africa. EDF has
vast experience in renewable energy. Distributed Power Africa will leverage EDF’s capabilities
and utilize these solutions in developing and growing their pipeline in Africa.
Econet founder Strive Masiyiwa
has previously said that the problem of power in Africa can only be solved by
giving entrepreneurs like him a free hand to drive capital into the
sector.
Masiyiwa says energy is the next
biggest infrastructure opportunity on the journey to transform the continent’s
fortunes, and a partnership with a global player such as EDF, with vast
technological expertise and access to energy markets, will accelerate the
rollout of energy on the continent and significantly impact the continent’s
economies.
“Enabling reliable and stable
energy to businesses will help meet the continent’s global economic growth
goals. In the Telecoms industry, for every 10 % increase in teledensity we
observed a 1 % increase in GDP. In the Energy sector we expect a tenfold increase
in GDP by addressing the continental power challenge,” Masiyiwa said.
EDF
Senior Executive, Vice President International, Marianne Laigneau, had this to
say: “We are excited about partnering with one of the most respected Pan
African brands that benefits from an
extensive footprint on the African continent and a proven track record of
operating in some of Africa’s most challenging environments. For EDF, this
partnership represents an opportunity to expand our services into the
burgeoning distributed energy sector. Already active in renewables, grids and
energy-efficiency services in 15 African countries, EDF has the necessary
expertise to deliver comprehensive energy solutions perfectly suitable for
African C&I applications.”
According to Norman Moyo ,
Group CEO of DPA Africa: “Businesses in Africa are increasingly interested in
affordable and reliable energy security, and the replacement of generators with
solar technology is a growing trend, due to the associated financial savings
and environmental dividend. Distributed
Power Africa has received tremendous interest from the Commercial and
Industrial sector for reliable and clean energy solutions including solar power
and battery back-up technology.”
