Malawi-based energy solutions company Ener-G-Africa says its R135-million investment in South Africa is making a tangible impact and creating numerous job opportunities in local communities, says Ener-G-Africa CEO André Moolman.

The company manufactures three types of advanced, stainless steel biomass stoves. The stoves are designed in-house to reduce fuel consumption, produce minimal harmful emissions and enhance cooking efficiency.

“With this investment, we launched an energy-efficient cookstove manufacturing line in Paarl, and expanded our existing solar panel production line in Cape Town from 15 MW to a remarkable 500 MW capacity. The 500 MW facility will be the largest solar panel assembly plant in Africa, and create South African job opportunities and value addition through advanced manufacturing.

“In addition to helping reduce the impact of loadshedding through domestic sales, Ener-G-Africa will also export to the rest of the continent,” Moolman says.

The manufacturing line for the energy-efficient cookstoves has started, 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 among local communities, with incentives available for households wishing to purchase the stoves, owing to a carbon-financed cookstove programme. One of the most significant impacts from manufacturing is the generation of employment opportunities for skilled and unskilled individuals within the local communities.

“The use of these stoves and solar panels significantly reduces household living costs by cutting fuel expenses, thus improving lives by providing access to affordable energy solutions,” Moolman emphasises.

Further, the adoption of Ener-G-Africa's stoves in rural areas is contributing to a substantial reduction in deforestation, as the stoves use 65% less wood or biomass pellets than fires. The sales of these products are set to stimulate the economy through local shops, agents and employees who benefit from commission-based sales incentives.

“Our commitment to sustainability and local empowerment is evident in Ener-G-Africa's approach to reducing reliance on imported goods. Our company's most noteworthy milestone is having supplied rocket stoves to more than four-million households across 12 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

“Additionally, we have a female-only workforce in a small solar panel production facility in sub-Saharan Africa, thereby setting an example for the industry,” he adds.