January 22, 2025

Mulilo eyes 5 GW of renewable energy by 2030

January 22, 2025

The South African-based energy company secured five battery storage projects & a 240 MW solar project in South Africa's latest bid windows in 2024. It currently has an operational portfolio of 420 MW & a construction portfolio of 592 MW. It aims to achieve 1 GW of projects in 2025 & a 5 GW renewable energy portfolio in the next five years.

  • Mulilo was established in 2008 and has since grown to become one of the major independent power producers in South Africa. It has concluded numerous power purchase agreements, including a recent one with Air Products South Africa for a 75 MW solar PV project in the Northern Cape.

  • In 2023, Mulilo was acquired by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition has enabled Mulilo to shift its strategy to become lead consortia in its projects, a departure from its previous practice of taking minority positions.

  • Our take: Securing affordable financing will be key for local companies to compete effectively with these large players… Read more (2 min)

The World Bank and African Development Bank have made $40 billion in funds available to electrify 300 million people in Africa by 2030. They have convened a summit next week in Dar es Salaam that will culminate in the signing of the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration committing African countries to accelerate electricity access.

  • The World Bank and the AfDB will provide $30 billion, and $10 billion is expected to come from the private sector. The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) and The Rockefeller Foundation have already committed $10 million to create a technical assistance facility supporting electricity projects across 11 African countries including some with the lowest electrification rates like Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Côte d’Ivoire.

  • For the countries to qualify for the funding they need to strengthen their policy on low-cost power generation, regional energy integration, increased energy access, enabling private investment, and utility strengthening.

  • Our take: The funding is expected to derisk private sector investments and scale up electrification efforts… Read more (2 min)

Since closing a $103 million Series D at the end of 2023, Husk built over 200 new mini-grids in Africa and Asia, doubling its fleet to 400 in a year. It now owns and operates the world’s largest portfolio of private sector mini-grids and has achieved the industry’s fastest deployment rate since its inception in 2008.

  • Husk expects a growth of over 100% in 2025 and plans expansion into new countries.

  • Husk Power Systems now serves 1.5M+ people in rural India/Nigeria, powers 30K+ businesses with 20MW solar, 2,500 km grid, and avoids 15,000 tons of annual CO2 by replacing 3,000 diesel generators.

  • Our take:  Minigrids offer a less expensive and more feasible solution compared to extending the main grid… Read more (2 min)

____________________

Sentimental energy staff showcase solar products at Kenya school heads meeting

Events

📅 Tanzania to host Renewable Energy Week Event 2025 (Jan 23)

📅 Cape Town to host Energizing Africa Event (Feb 3)

📅 ASR holds talk on  Global Pathways to Climate-Resilient Infrastructure (Jan 29)

📅Paris to hostEnergy Efficiency Policy for Emerging Economies (Apr 7 - 11)

Jobs

💼 Maxwell Marshall seeks a Senior Business Development Manager (Nigeria)

💼 Nyotrk seeks a Solar Energy Engineer (Egypt)

💼 UNEP seeks a Programme Management Officer (Nairobi)

Various 

🤝🏼 The Africa Youth For Sustainable Energy and Mobility calls for mentors. 

🤝🏼 Shell Foundation and partners launched a program to accelerate clean energy

🤝🏼 T20 South Africa invites you to share abstracts to shape global governance

Seen on LinkedIn 

Anthony Akivembe, Director of Business Development - Omnivoltaic Energy Solutions, says, “Receivables financing is proving to be a game-changer in addressing cash flow challenges. By unlocking the value of unpaid invoices, off-grid companies can access working capital to scale faster, expand their reach, and ensure service continuity.”

____________________