Changa Energy is thrilled to announce the launch of its cutting-edge 1MW solar plant system which went live at the BT Industrial Group site in Benoni recently. This innovative project, which marks a significant milestone in Changa Energy’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions has been developed in collaboration with client, BT Industrial Group, partners Nuvo Africa and Candi Solar.
The project not only underscores the dedication to environmental stewardship by BT Industrial but also aims to ensure energy security that cushions the client against the increasing cost of energy supply which ultimately impacts the increase in cost of production.
In fact, at the onset of the devastating load-shedding period, BT like many companies were unable to meet their production order commitments, leading ultimately to revenue losses, the company looked for alternatives including generators but there was another issue of increasing diesel costs and the generators not being able to power the plant for full production requirements.
The company decided to seek a solution that will provide guarantee of supply whilst also contributing significantly to reducing the utility bill – BT found a partner in Changa Energy that understands energy security & cost efficiency and is innovative enough with commercial modelling and is able to work with multiple client scenarios. The solar plant is designed to harness the abundant solar resources of South Africa, providing clean, renewable energy that will help reduce carbon emissions and support the nation’s goal of transitioning to a greener economy.
Mickey Mashale, Chief Executive Officer of Changa Energy, expressed her enthusiasm about the launch, stating: “We are proud to unveil our 1 MW solar plant system, which represents a pivotal step towards a sustainable future in our country and beyond. This project is a testament to our commitment to innovation and collaboration with forward-thinking partners such BT Industrial Group. Together, we are not just generating energy; we are fostering a cleaner, more sustainable environment for generations to come.”
The launch event featured a tour of the facility, showcasing the technology and processes involved in harnessing solar energy. The event was attended by all stakeholders such as Candi, Nuvo Energy and shareholders who joined Changa Energy and BT Industrial Group in celebrating this landmark achievement.
Kgomotso Lekola, the Founder & Group Managing Director of BT Industrial Group said: “Our discussion highlighted the significant challenges facing South African industries, particularly energy uncertainty and rising electricity costs. Our company consumes an average of 600 kVA, with a peak of one megawatt, making us a substantial consumer of electricity. The recent energy crisis has led to operational and financial disruptions, reducing our productivity to 25%.”
To mitigate these challenges, Kgomotso said: “We need to address energy uncertainty and the increasing cost of electricity, which has risen by a compound annual growth rate of 19% over the last four years. This surge has resulted in our electricity bill doubling from R600,000 to R1,000,000, and with the slated increases, it’s projected to reach R1.2-1.3 million. This significant cost increase is squeezing our profit margins, especially in export markets where we cannot pass on these costs to our customers.”
In seeking a solution, Kgomotso states that collaborations played a crucial role. “Our partner, took a partnership approach, engaging with us to understand our needs and presenting a tailored value proposition. After considering various models, I chose the most financially optimal one, which would provide value without increasing our financial exposure.
“We have successfully delivered a 1MW solar plant, comprising 1,604 solar panels and seven grid-type inverters. This system supplies our entire operational demand and has the capacity to sell excess electricity back to the grid, generating additional savings. With Eskom requesting a 40% increase for the following year, our investment will yield significant benefits, including uninterrupted operations and reduced utility costs,” concluded Kgomotso.
