Clean energy developer Blue Energy Africa has built a hybrid 435 kW solar and battery storage system for planting bags producer Naboom Plastic, in Mookgophong, Limpopo. The system provides the producer with energy security and operational resilience, as well as saving 80% to 90% on its previous electricity use from the grid.

The implementation of the system has allowed Naboom Plastic to start clearing a 60 t production backlog caused by loadshedding. It also benefits the livelihoods of the company's 64 employees and their families. 

The impact of loadshedding on Naboom Plastic in recent years was devastating, and created the production backlog because staff were only able to work limited hours. It also resulted in production wastage, says Naboom Plastic co-founder Koos Lancaster.

“Loadshedding reduced the time we were able to produce to 14 hours. Staff shifts had to be reworked to adapt to the schedule of outages, and some had to come to work at 03:00 in the morning. This hit us hard,” he says.

“We struggled with energy supply during loadshedding and experienced interruptions from our local municipality outside of scheduled outages. The new hybrid solar system has been instrumental in reducing our production backlog. We can now fulfil orders more quickly, and this has had a positive impact on the financial aspect of our business.”

The system for Naboom Plastic includes a battery energy storage system of 858 kWh. The hybrid solar system generates 750 000 kWh/y.

“Our recent project at Naboom Plastic is an example of our impact in communities, and how creating resilient renewable-energy systems can drive sustainability and economic growth,” says Blue Energy Africa CEO Marcel Steinberg.

Infrastructure asset class specialist asset management company Gaia Fund Managers’ Renewables Real Estate Investment Trust funded the project.

“This project is an example that investors can profit with purpose. The installation has a positive impact on the environment and the lives of people,” says Gaia CIO and director Dr Hendrik Snyman.