SolarAfrica Energy and Starsight Energy have announced the successful completion of their business merger.

The merged group will be a pan-African clean energy platform providing on- and off-site renewable energy solutions to commercial and industrial customers.

It is said to be well-positioned to serve a range of customers with a comprehensive mix of cost-effective solutions, providing power security and a reduction in carbon emissions.

The merger is backed by Helios Investment Partners and African Infrastructure Investment Managers, both of which have decades-long records of sourcing investment to support African innovation.

Customers across Africa can access fully serviced clean energy solutions through the merged group.

This includes solar energy, battery storage, wheeling and energy management which are all operated and maintained on behalf of the customer.

The merged group’s mission is to make power accessible and affordable.

The merger is expected to unlock more efficiencies across the group allowing it to take more customers on a green energy journey that solves their power requirements and enables a sustainable future.

“The supply of renewable energy in Sub-Saharan Africa is relatively fragmented with several suppliers in the market. This merger is a substantial step for us and will provide a true pan-African platform to deliver clean renewable energy in key economies,” says group CEO Paul van Zijl.

The merged group consists of an installed and contracted portfolio of 520 MW in solar power generation, 60 MWh of battery storage and an additional energy pipeline exceeding 2 GW.

The portfolio has led to a carbon offset of more than 360 000 t of carbon dioxide to date.

“This merger will enhance our current capabilities and allow us to deploy Energy and Cooling as a Service on a much larger scale. This is therefore a story of growth. Not only for Starsight Energy and SolarAfrica but also for the renewable energy landscape in Africa,” Van Zijl acclaims.

In addition to its key markets – Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria and South Africa – the group is working on an imminent expansion into Tanzania and Uganda.

It brings a range of renewable energy solutions to the table, with solar energy, battery storage and cooling at the top of the list.

The merged group will retain a strong presence within the various countries to further strengthen its footprint across Africa.

“We do not believe in a fly-in fly-out model and will have ‘boots on the ground’ in our geographies. Our country teams consist of dedicated in-country management as well as sales and technical teams who represent our ethos, whilst being supported by the wider group management,” says Van Zijl.

Both Starsight Energy and SolarAfrica are represented in the group executive management team, combining their expertise and experience, and the group will also retain its regional management structures.