The CEO of Ener-G-Africa, Mr. Andre Moolman, has reported that their R135 million investment, announced during the South African Investment Conference in April, is already having a significant impact. This investment is poised to revolutionize the energy sector and uplift communities across South Africa.
Moolman emphasizes that their commitment goes beyond words, with the investment being a catalyst for change. The project is creating job opportunities in local communities and driving transformative actions in the energy sector.
“We have leveraged this investment to establish a production line for energy-efficient cookstoves in Paarl and expand our existing solar panel production facility in Cape Town from 15MW to an impressive 500MW capacity. This 500MW facility will become the largest solar panel assembly plant in Africa, contributing to job creation and value addition through advanced manufacturing. Besides helping alleviate the impact of load shedding with domestic sales, Ener-G-Africa will also export to other African countries,” Moolman explains.
He also highlights the company’s innovative manufacturing processes, which include three types of advanced biomass stoves: Mafecs, Baldwin, and Fab Stove, all meticulously crafted from stainless steel. These stoves are designed in-house to minimize fuel consumption, reduce harmful emissions, and enhance cooking efficiency.
“The manufacturing line for energy-efficient cookstoves is already in operation, and the expansion of the solar plant is expected to be completed in the third or fourth quarter of 2024. Our cookstoves have undergone successful trials within local communities, and incentives are available for households interested in purchasing them through a carbon-financed cookstove program. One of the most significant impacts of our manufacturing efforts is the generation of employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled individuals in local communities. The use of these stoves and solar panels substantially lowers household living costs by reducing fuel expenses, making affordable energy solutions accessible and improving lives,” Moolman states.
He further explains that the adoption of Ener-G-Africa’s stoves in rural areas is significantly reducing deforestation as they require 65% less wood or biomass pellets. The sales of these products are expected to boost the local economy through partnerships with local shops, agents, and employees who receive commission-based sales incentives.
“The commitment to sustainability and local empowerment is also reflected in Ener-G-Africa’s efforts to reduce dependence on imported goods. Our most notable achievement is supplying rocket stoves to over four million households in 12 sub-Saharan African countries. Moreover, we operate a female-only workforce in a small solar panel production facility in sub-Saharan Africa, setting a groundbreaking example for the industry,” Moolman concludes.
