Page 10 - AfrElec Week 33 2022
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AfrElec RENEWABLES AfrElec
Côte d’Ivoire makes deal with
China for biomass energy plant
SOUTH AFRICA THE Ivorian government has awarded the China According to the government, the majority of
Energy Engineering Corporation (CEEC) a con- the fuel for the plant will come from palm waste,
tract to build a biomass energy plant to help the with a third coming from the palm oil planta-
country achieve their renewable energy targets. tions of PalmCI and the remaining two-thirds
The deal, agreed by state-owned company from 12,000 growers.
Biovea Energie and the CEEC, will see a €232mn Construction of the plant is expected to start
($235.7mn) power plant built in Aboisso, about at the end of 2022, with commissioning expected
60 miles from the country’s commercial capi- for 2024.
tal Abidjan. The plant will produce 46MW of CEEC is a Chinese state-owned energy con-
energy, and will enable the country to achieve glomerate based in Beijing, under the direct
its goal of making renewables 42% of the overall control of the State-owned Assets Supervision
energy mix. and Administration Commission of the State
The biomass plant will be first of its kind in Council. Among its subsidiaries is the Gezhouba
West Africa and will be mostly financed by a loan Group, a huge civil engineering company.
from Proparco, a subsidiary of the French Devel-
opment Agency.
Seriti invests $55mn in
Windlab Africa
SOUTH AFRICA MAJOR South African coal supplier Seriti Seriti uses 750 GWh of electricity in the pro-
Resources (Seriti) has entered into an agreement cess of mining the coal that it sells to South Afri-
to acquire a major stake in renewable energies ca’s power utility Eskom for the firing of power
company Windlab Africa for $55mn. stations. The company said it will start using
Seriti announced on August 15 that it will wind and solar energy at its facilities in 2023.
secure the shareholding in Windlab’s wind and “We need to be moving towards a lower car-
solar-powered assets through its subsidiary, bon future through investing capital from coal
Seriti Green. This, Seriti further noted, advances into green energy. It is not only the right thing
its ambition to lower its carbon footprint while to do, but it makes business and societal sense,”
ensuring long-term sustainability as a diversified said Teke.
energy producer. Windlab is overseeing 3.5GW of renewable
Windlab Africa consists of 100% of Windlab energy projects at different stages of develop-
South Africa and 75% of Windlab East Africa. ment in South Africa and east Africa.
Mike Teke, Seriti chief executive officer said: “Standard Bank is proud to be an equity part-
“The acquisition is a timely and strategic addi- ner, funder and sole adviser to Seriti in deliver-
tion to our existing and valuable portfolio of coal ing on its integrated energy strategy through the
assets. Our commitment to the responsible and acquisition of Windlab – a renewable energy
reliable production of coal for both domestic company with an established track record,” said
consumption and exports remains unwavering.” Mark Buncombe, the bank’s head mining and
The transaction will see Seriti acquire a 51% metals.
controlling interest in Windlab Africa – with “We believe that the complementary skills
RMB (14.5%), Standard Bank (14.5%) and two of the management teams will provide a timely
individual partners, Peter Venn who is Windlab acceleration to deliver a diversified and more
managing director, (15%) and Ntiso Investment reliable energy supply for South Africa.”
Holdings (5%) collectively taking up the remain-
ing stake.
P10 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 33 18•August•2022
