Fuel retail chain Puma Energy says 184 of its sites are now powered, in part, by solar power installations.

This accounts for about 39% of its 467 owned and leased fuel stations where solar installations are commercially and technically feasible and it remains on track to reach its target of 200 solar installations by the end of this year.

Puma Energy set a target in July of installing 200 solar projects across its global network by the end of the year, as part of its environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments.

Once operational, the 200 solar projects will have a combined capacity of 6.6 MW and are expected to generate 9 311 MWh/y of renewable electricity.

“The aim of the solar generation initiative is not only to reduce Puma Energy’s greenhouse-gas emissions on the sites and depots it owns, but also to reduce the emissions of the local dealers who operate many of the retail sites in Puma Energy’s network.

“The expertise Puma Energy has developed by installing solar at its own retail sites now allows the company to offer its commercial and industrial customers solar generation packages and other low carbon energy solutions alongside the fuels it has traditionally supplied," the company highlights.

Puma Energy has 1 998 retail sites, and the 184 operational solar sites are in Ghana, Malawi, Botswana, Namibia, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, Guatemala and Papua New Guinea.

Further solar projects are being installed at Puma Energy retail sites in Botswana, Malawi and Tanzania, the company says.

Puma Energy made a commitment to achieving 30% of its African earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation from clean energy and transition fuels in its 2022 Sustainability Report and Environment, Social and Governance Strategy.

The roll out of solar solutions for Puma Energy commercial customers is part of that aim and, to hit the target, the company has committed an initial investment of $33-million to roll out its solar offering to its customers, starting with Botswana, Ghana, Malawi, Namibia, Tanzania and Zambia.

“The 200 solar projects we are delivering is just the start of a broader strategy to contribute to the energy transition in Africa,” says Puma Energy strategy and business development head Sophonie Babo.

“Many of our commercial and industrial customers are looking to reduce their carbon emissions. By installing solar on our own assets, we have demonstrated our ability to offer to our customers solar solutions. Our aim is to help customers hybridise their energy sources and reduce emissions across their operations,” he notes.