Industrial boiler engineering company John Thompson and commercial and industrial energy company Berkeley Energy Corporate Solutions (BECS) aim to accelerate the deployment of reliable, renewable steam solutions to industrial customers in South Africa and across Africa.

Specifically, the partnership will offer a low-carbon steam solution based on sustainable biomass feedstock. Under a long-term heat offtake agreement, the system is designed, funded, built and operated on behalf of the client that pays for the steam consumed.

Initial deployments are already under way in South Africa, with the model now being introduced to industrial clients in Zambia, Kenya, Mozambique and Ghana, where energy resilience and sustainability are key enablers of growth.

The partnership is already making progress on a range of biomass boiler projects across South Africa, with potential expansion into other African markets where John Thompson has an existing footprint.

Each solution is designed to be scalable, bankable and tailored to the operational realities of industrial users.

The solution is particularly attractive to companies looking to reduce carbon emissions and operational risk, while securing predictable long-term energy pricing, the companies say.

The collaboration combines John Thompson’s engineering expertise and manufacturing capability with BECS' sourcing and supplying sustainable biomass fuel. It is geared towards helping businesses decarbonise their operations, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and meet growing demands for cost-effective, renewable energy.

“This approach helps businesses overcome the two biggest barriers to decarbonisation, namely the high upfront cost and the technical complexity of energy system upgrades,” says John Thompson Industrial division CEO Jaco Grobbelaar.

“Our clients do not need to become energy experts or infrastructure owners, because we take on the risk, the capex and the performance accountability.”

Further, BECS takes a strategic approach to biomass sourcing by working directly with large-scale agricultural and forestry producers and processors to secure long-term feedstock contracts that are sustainable, traceable and cost-effective.

This ensures a reliable fuel supply chain tailored to the client’s specific needs, which is something many energy developers cannot offer, the partner companies say.

“In a market where supply risks and quality inconsistencies can stall biomass adoption, we provide stability. We align our supply chains to specific project locations and customer volumes, ensuring security of supply while maintaining competitive pricing,” says BECS Southern Africa business development manager Jonathan Probert.

“This partnership enables us to deliver bankable, long-term energy solutions that meet the real-world needs of industrial clients. Together with John Thompson, we are addressing the cost, complexity and carbon intensity of steam generation, thereby helping businesses achieve sustainability and growth,” says BECS MD Nicholas Tatrallyay.

Meanwhile, the partnership is nonexclusive and BECS will continue pursuing other energy projects independently, while John Thompson will engage BECS in suitable projects for customers that require funding, development support and scalable energy-as-a-service delivery.

Industrial sectors are under growing pressure to transition to low-carbon operations. Industries, particularly those that rely on high-temperature process heat, such as food and beverage, pulp and paper, chemicals, textiles and mining, are major energy consumers and carbon emitters.

By integrating BECS’ biomass fuel solutions into John Thompson’s proven boiler systems and operational models, clients can expect a seamless transition to renewable energy without sacrificing performance or uptime, says Grobbelaar.

“This is not just about replacing a fuel source. It is about delivering an end-to-end renewable-energy solution that works, and providing African industry with the tools to achieve sustainability, profitability and resilience,” he says.