Spark Energy Funds Solar-Storage Upgrade To Power Bushvalley Chickens Toward Energy Independence In South Africa

Spark Energy Services has announced a major financing agreement for a solar and battery storage project at Bushvalley Chickens, a well-known poultry producer in Limpopo, South Africa. The initiative represents a major shift for the agricultural sector as more businesses look for stable and affordable power solutions. Bushvalley Chickens operates a large farm and abattoir, and in recent years, it has struggled with rising electricity costs and frequent power cuts that have affected South Africa’s national grid. To overcome these challenges, the company partnered with New Southern Energy to develop a two-phase renewable energy plan. The first phase resulted in a 2.5MWp solar plant that was completed in late 2024. The new phase greatly increases the farm’s energy capacity and improves overall reliability.

The second phase includes the installation of 2.7MWp of new solar photovoltaic panels supported by a 7.2MWh battery energy storage system. This combination allows the farm to produce solar energy during the day and store it for use during peak morning and evening hours when electricity prices are at their highest. By using stored power at these times, Bushvalley Chickens is expected to cut its regular energy costs by almost 30 percent, with projected savings of about ZAR 2.1 million every year. The project also highlights a new way of financing. Spark, a platform managed by Camco, is providing 100 percent upfront funding. This removes the need for the company to invest huge amounts of capital before the system is built. Instead, Bushvalley Chickens will repay the cost through the clean energy it uses, following a “pay-as-you-go” model. This approach helps businesses adopt renewable energy without reducing their cash reserves.

The project is also expected to benefit the environment and the local community. It will produce around 3.4GWh of clean electricity every year and prevent more than 3,600 tonnes of carbon emissions. The construction and ongoing operation of the system are expected to create about 70 jobs, providing support for workers in the Limpopo region. The project is scheduled to be fully operational by mid-2026. Once completed, it will serve as an important example for other agricultural operations across Africa. With the addition of battery storage, Bushvalley Chickens will not only secure its own power needs but will also help reduce pressure on the national grid during high-demand periods.