Completion of Helios and AIIM backed renewable energy merger
SolarAfrica Energy and Starsight Energy announced the successful completion of their business merger, to provide on- and off-site renewable energy solutions to commercial and industrial customers.
The merger is backed by Helios Investment Partners and African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM).
“The supply of renewable energy in sub-Saharan Africa is relatively fragmented with several suppliers in the market. This merger is a substantial step for us and will provide a true pan-African platform to deliver clean renewable energy in key economies,” said Paul van Zijl, group CEO.
The merged group consists of an installed and contracted portfolio of 520 MW in solar power generation, 60 MWh of battery storage and an additional energy pipeline exceeding 2 GW.
“This merger will enhance our current capabilities and allow us to deploy energy and cooling as a service on a much larger scale. This is therefore a story of growth. Not only for Starsight Energy and SolarAfrica but also for the renewable energy landscape in Africa,” Van Zijl added.
In addition to key markets Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria and South Africa, the group is working on imminent expansion into Tanzania and Uganda.
Both Starsight Energy and SolarAfrica are represented in the group executive management team, combining their expertise and experience.
– Paul van Zijl assumes the role of group chief executive officer (formerly group chief financial officer of Starsight Energy)
– Charl Alheit assumes the role of group chief investment officer (formerly chief investment officer for SolarAfrica)
– Max Rieg assumes the role of group commercial director (formerly commercial director of Starsight Energy)
The group will also retain its regional management structures, with David McDonald (Southern Africa), Emmanuel Ayifa Baah (Ghana), Ladi Sanni (Nigeria) and Rupesh Hindocha (East Africa) leading their respective regions.
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