Africa Data Centres (www.AfricaDataCentres.com/) and DPA SA have broken ground on their solar farm in the Free State; The first phase will see power getting wheeled to its CPT1 facility; The second phase will see power being supplied to JHB1 and JHB2 once wheeling agreements with relevant municipalities conclude.

Africa Data Centres, a business of the Cassava Technologies group, is pleased to announce that it has broken ground on the construction of a solar farm in the Free State in collaboration with DPA Southern Africa.

This announcement forms a crucial component of the 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) inked in March 2023 with DPA Southern Africa a joint company of the French utility, EDF. The objective of the Free State farm is to furnish renewable energy to Africa Data Centres sites, commencing with its cutting-edge, carrier-neutral data centre in Cape Town, the CPT1 facility.

According to Cassava Technologies’ President and Group CEO, Hardy Pemhiwa, “This initiative positions Africa Data Centres as a trailblaser in the data centre industry in responding to South Africa’s energy crisis through sustainable technology solutions. This is in line with a broader industry shift towards innovative, eco-friendly practices. The strategic use of solar power showcases technology’s role in pioneering solutions for energy challenges and environmental sustainability”.

Furthermore, Tesh Durvasula, CEO of Africa Data Centres, underscores the commitment to powering all data centres with clean, renewable energy sources. “Today’s announcement represents a significant stride in our initiative to energise South African data centres sustainably, advancing our objective of achieving carbon neutrality. The first phase involves constructing the 12MW solar infrastructure to power our Cape Town data centre, with subsequent phases extending to our Johannesburg data centres.”

Nawfal El Fadil, the CEO of DPA SA, states, “Africa Data Centres, as a pioneer in the data centre industry, has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability, aligning seamlessly with our company’s values. We are thrilled and honoured to contribute to Africa Data Centres’ mission of achieving carbon neutrality, beginning with the establishment of this solar power plant in the Free State to serve their data centre in Cape Town. At the heart of our collaboration lies a shared understanding that the path to carbon neutrality extends beyond infrastructure—it demands innovation, expertise, and collective determination to overcome challenges. DPA SA, backed by EDF’s legacy, brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in delivering high-quality, sustainable energy solutions to this partnership.”

“We take immense pride in supporting Africa Data Centres on this journey, being among the pioneers in launching a wheeling solar plant, thereby paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future in South Africa,” adds Nawfal El Fadil.

This project is a key element of Africa Data Centres’ ambitious plans to emerge as the most sustainable colocation provider on the continent. “Beyond procuring renewable energy, our commitment to an efficiency strategy has earned us the internationally recognised ISO50001 certification for the effective operation of our data centres,” Durvasula elaborates.

“Data centres worldwide face scrutiny for their reliance on grid power and renewables, and Africa is no exception. Africa Data Centres is actively addressing this issue by generating renewable energy, alleviating strain on the local grid. Additionally, our sustainability objectives encompass achieving net-zero status at all facilities, making this project another significant stride towards reaching that goal,” concludes Durvasula.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Data Centres.

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About Africa Data Centres:
Africa Data Centres is your trusted partner for rapid and secure data centre services and interconnections across the African continent.

Africa Data Centres is Africa’s largest network of interconnected, carrier and cloud-neutral data centre facilities. Bringing international experts to the pan-African market. We are your trusted partner for rapid and secure data centre services and interconnections across the African continent. Strategically located, our world-class facilities provide a home for all your business-critical data. Proudly African, we are dedicated to being the heart that beats your business.

Africa Data Centres’ aim is to unveil various business opportunities and to develop a strategic network of partnerships. This will further strengthen Africa Data Centres’ superiority in providing our customers with the highest standard of interconnected, carrier and cloud-neutral data centre facilities throughout Africa. www.AfricaDataCentres.com/

About Cassava Technologies:
Cassava Technologies is a technology leader providing a vertically integrated ecosystem of digital services and infrastructure enabling digital transformation. Launched in 2021, the company was born out of a need to create a digitally connected future that leaves no African behind.  Through its subsidiaries, namely, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Liquid Dataport, Liquid C2, Africa Data Centres, Distributed Power Africa, Sasai Fintech and Telrad, Cassava is a multinational technology company that has operations across key growth markets like Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the United States of America. Cassava provides its customers in 94 countries with offerings that will help them grow, transform, and expand their operations. https://apo-opa.co/3U7rdmB   

About DPA Southern Africa:
DPA Southern Africa, a joint company of the French utility EDF and Distributed Power Africa, is at the forefront of the Southern African renewable energy market for businesses, laying the foundation for a sustainable and environmentally conscious future in South Africa and beyond.

Our commitment is to assist companies in achieving carbon neutrality and cost savings simultaneously by providing tailor-made renewable energy solutions that meet the specific needs of businesses. Our comprehensive offerings include on-site, wheeling, and storage solutions, offering businesses a holistic approach to sustainable energy management.

Malang from Senegal had been to multiple hospitals in his home country in search of medical help without success.

“It was tough for him to walk. I was very sad when I saw Malang walking like that,” his father Sadio recalled. “Sometimes his friends would run and leave him behind, and he’d cry.” 

His parents could not find a surgeon who could perform the necessary operation and looking for help was financially challenging for the whole family.

When Malang’s family heard that he might be eligible for free, safe surgery with international charity Mercy Ships from a neighbour, they took him for screening. They were overjoyed when he cleared for surgery on board the charity’s purpose-built hospital ship the Global Mercy™ which was docked in Dakar, Senegal.

There he met British orthopaedic consultant Rachel Buckingham, who was volunteering on board. Dr Buckingham knew instantly that the five-year-old’s bowed legs were just the beginning.  

“It would have got worse over time,” she said. “He would have been severely limited in his walking ability.” 

Dr Buckingham and her team began treating Malang with vitamin D to strengthen his bones. They also performed a complex surgery to straighten his legs. 

“The impact of the surgery will be huge,” Dr Buckingham said. “It means that he will be able to run around and play with his friends more readily. He’ll be able to obtain an education.” 

Fortunately, Malang will never have to carry the worry that his father shouldered. 

“He himself will probably never realise how bad his deformity would have got had he not had surgery,” she added. 

Dr Buckingham said: “Coming here you notice some stark differences in the lack of surgical care,” she said. “We treat children with severe deformities. Back home they would never be able to get to that point because we would have treated them in early life.” 

Day crewmember, Ka Dieye from Senegal, who worked in the hospital’s rehab department as a translator, said the little soccer fan showed a remarkable recovery after the major four-hour surgery.

Ka said: “Three days after his surgery, he wants to play football. Can you imagine that? And when he was in the intensive care unit, he started walking. He was very happy.”

Amidst the challenging steps and therapy, Malang’s father remained by his son’s side offering encouragement and support.

“It really touches my heart so deeply,” Sadio exclaimed when Malang’s casts were finally removed, and he was able to stand tall.  

Sadio’s aspirations for his son were clear: “I want him to become someone in the world.”

Malang’s situation is common, not only in Senegal but around the world. It is estimated that 5 billion people globally lack access to safe surgical care – and that approximately 1.7 billion of those are children like Malang. This burden is felt especially heavily in sub-Saharan Africa, where nearly half the population is under 18.  

A 2021 study that took place in four sub-Saharan African nations found that 60-90 percent of patients in need of surgery would face ‘catastrophic’ costs if they went through with the operation. 

Surgeons like Dr Buckingham not only perform surgeries but also mentor and train local surgeons on board so that partner nations, such as Senegal, can strengthen their health systems from grassroots to Government, by providing education, training and advocacy programs.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mercy Ships.

Find out more about Mercy Ships https://apo-opa.co/3xl8GKE

With estimated recoverable gas resources of around 57 trillion cubic feet (tcf), Tanzania will feature as part of an East African regional spotlight at Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2024, as the country seeks partners across various exploration, development and processing activities.

Since discovering large volumes of offshore gas, Tanzania has initiated plans to become a major LNG exporter. The country’s flagship Tanzania LNG project – set to process gas from fields operated by Equinor, Shell and ExxonMobil, producing 10 million metric tons per year – is awaiting the signing of a host government agreement that would enable the start of development. Shell’s Blocks 1 and 4 have an estimated 16 tcf of gas in place, while Equinor’s Block 2 has yielded nine discoveries with more than 20 tcf of estimated reserves. Last November, the governments of Tanzania and Uganda signed an agreement to undertake a feasibility study for the construction of a pipeline linking Tazania’s gas fields to Uganda.

Organized by Energy Capital&Power, IAE 2024 (https://apo-opa.co/3UMOOtQ) is an exclusive forum designed to facilitate investment between African energy markets and global investors. Taking place May 14-15, 2024 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, please visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Tanzania has emerged as a regional leader in LPG distribution, owing to its strategic location on the Indian Ocean and flagship Kigamboni LPG Terminal, which imports LPG from the Middle East and delivers it by truck to the wider region. Tanzania’s Taifa Gas is currently leading construction of a $100-million LPG facility in northern Zambia, in partnership with Zambia’s Delta Marimba. Last November, the country also launched its first compressed natural gas filling station and conversion center in Dar es Salaam, developed by TAQA Dalbit – a joint venture between TAQA Arabia and JCG Oil&Gas.

Tanzania is expected to launch its fifth oil and gas licensing round by June 2024, with licenses to be awarded by December of the same year. While the details have yet to be disclosed, 26 oil and gas blocks have been initially allocated for tender, including 15 onshore and 11 offshore blocks. Representing the country’s first bid round in over a decade, the licensing round aims to accelerate foreign investment in the country’s upstream sector and showcase its highly prospective acreage. So far, Chinese national oil company CNOOC is leading exploration in the country – in collaboration with Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation – and is conducting seismic surveys in deepwater blocks located nearby gas discoveries made by Shell, Equinor and ExxonMobil.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.

Nigeria’s Nextier Power CEO Emeka Okpukpara will speak at the Invest in African Energy (IAE) forum in Paris this May. Nextier Power is a multi-competency firm that solves complex development problems, with a focus on resolving power sector issues, improving market liquidity and enabling rural electrification.

Nigeria’s power sector is in the midst of a complete overhaul, as the Federal Government (FG) implements several reforms aimed at bridging the country’s metering gap, de-risking the sector and solving financial liquidity issues. These include adopting smart meters to generate revenues and increase electricity consumption, as well as decentralizing transmission lines and implementing new funding schemes. Earlier this week, the Federal Government announced a directive for the country’s electricity distributors to supply 6,000-6,500 MW of power within the next six months – up from 4,000 MW – to eliminate power cuts and boost power supply.

Organised by Energy Capital&Power, IAE 2024 (https://apo-opa.co/3UMOOtQ)  is an exclusive forum designed to facilitate investment between African energy markets and global investors. Taking place May 14-15, 2024 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, please visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Nextier Power is expected to discuss opportunities to finance, service and expand Nigeria’s power sector – and across the continent – as the forum aims to connect bankable energy projects with the requisite investments. According to the IEA, Africa will need investments of up to $190 billion annually between 2026 and 2030 to meet rising energy demand. For Nigeria, the country’s focus is on prioritizing sufficient baseload power generation – primarily through coal- and gas-fired power plants – then gradually transitioning to cleaner sources of energy.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.