DevRani Consult

07/11/2024

We are grateful to be able to empower others through the work that we do. Thank you to the Angels Resource Centres team for the continuous brilliant work!

Pitching Potential

Participants of the Business Skills Bootcamp held in created pitch decks to showcase their businesses, implementation and potential, and throw their hats in the ring for a chance at a coveted spot in a 12-month Enterprise4Change New Venture Creation programme, with mentoring and guided asset funding.

This accredited training programme, facilitated by the Angels team, aims to empower these businesses to become preferred suppliers to Upington’s IPP industry and is kindly sponsored by CCM MOOIPLAATS PTY LTD for their Avondale Solar Farm project, in conjunction with DevRani Consult

Bootcamp participants had to present on their Product, Service, Customers, Income and overall Business strategy to win over the judge’s panel and secure their place in the programme.

IGNITE - INTEGRATE - IMPACT

20/09/2021

The Quarterly Labour Force Survey has indicated that, for the first quarter of 2021, 46.3% of South African Youth were unemployed. DevRani Consult is committed to supporting the Youth in skills development and employment opportunities. We believe in nurturing our youth in order to secure a brighter future for all South Africans.

DevRani Consult recently appointed Tanay Gopal who was unemployed for 7 months after graduating with a BCom. Honours in Marketing Management. Tanay shares his passion for socio-economic development in the following video.

Follow our page to keep up with our incredible journey.

17/09/2021

After a grueling but rewarding REIPPP Bid Window 5, team DevRani have spent our time on team building activities to improve our operations and value add to gear up for Bid Window 6 and other economic-development opportunities, in order to be best equipped to transform South Africa's socio-economic landscape.

Will you be joining us?

27/08/2021

The 34.5 MW Wesley-Ciskei wind energy farm (WEF), in the Eastern Cape, achieved its commercial operations date this month, reports renewable energy developer and operator EDF Renewables.
After successfully completing the final Grid Code Compliance tests, the project has reached commercial operations and is supplying electricity into the grid, says EDF Renewables project manager Carl Wlotzka.



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Wesley-Ciskei wind energy farm supplying electricity to the grid

27th August 2021 BY: SIMONE LIEDTKE
WRITER



The Wesley-Ciskei wind energy farm.



The Wesley-Ciskei wind energy farm.



The Wesley-Ciskei wind energy farm.



The Wesley-Ciskei wind energy farm.



The Wesley-Ciskei wind energy farm.

The 34.5 MW Wesley-Ciskei wind energy farm (WEF), in the Eastern Cape, achieved its commercial operations date this month, reports renewable energy developer and operator EDF Renewables.
After successfully completing the final Grid Code Compliance tests, the project has reached commercial operations and is supplying electricity into the grid, says EDF Renewables project manager Carl Wlotzka.

Built throughout the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, the project was delayed by South Africa’s initial level five lockdown, which prompted all construction activities to be halted for eight weeks.
“We also had to implement strict Covid-19 health and safety protocols upon reopening of the site, which concentrated on a range of measures to combat the spread of the pandemic – fortunately, the project was not significantly delayed,” says Wlotzka.

The 34.5 MW Wesley-Ciskei wind energy farm (WEF), in the Eastern Cape, achieved its commercial operations date this month, reports renewable energy developer and operator EDF Renewables. After successfully completing the final Grid Code Compliance tests, the project has reached commercial operations...

24/08/2021

South Africa's Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy has published the list of bidders for the fifth round of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPPP).

According to the document, 39 wind projects and 63 solar projects will compete in the tender, through which the South African authorities hope to allocate 2.6 GW of renewable energy capacity.

“The fact that over 100 projects were submitted for 1 GW of solar PV, and 1.6 GW of wind, shows developers are still very interested in South Africa's renewable energy market, despite delays during previous rounds,” Chris Ahlfeldt, energy specialist at Blue Horizon Energy Consulting Services, told pv magazine.

He also explained that, while 62% of the projects proposed would use solar PV technology, Eskom's transmission constraints for new generation capacity in the Northern Cape province suggest that successful solar PV bids will likely need to target locations in one of the other eight provinces in the country, unlike in previous REIPPPP rounds, where most of the solar PV capacity was in the Northern Cape as it has some of the best solar resources in the country.

“The grid constraints will likely have some positive outcomes as a distribution of projects across other provinces will likely lead to more distributed socioeconomic development benefits for the country,” Ahlfeldt further explained. “For projects that aren't selected as part of the Round 5, there is still potential for them to go ahead, given the recent change to regulations which allows for projects up to 100 MW to be developed in the country without a license.”

The South African authorities have published the list of projects competing in the the fifth round of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPPP). It seeks to procure 1 GW of PV and 1.6 GW of wind power.

23/08/2021

Absa Bank, a major player in the financing of the energy sector in South Africa, has joined forces with African Rainbow Energy and Power (Arep) to launch a new platform dedicated to financing renewable energy.

The African Rainbow Energy platform is the result of a joint venture between Absa Bank, a subsidiary of the Absa Group and African Rainbow Energy and Power (Arep). The aim of this joint venture is to invest massively in the very dynamic renewable energy sector in South Africa. According to the agreement signed between the two partners, Arep will make an initial investment of assets covering wind, solar photovoltaic and biomass projects with an installed capacity of over 700 MW.

Read also- SOUTH AFRICA: Absa refinances 3 clean energy plants owned by Globeleq

For its part, Absa will make an initial investment of 500 million South African rand ($33.55 million) in cash and transfer 5 billion rand ($335.56 million) of its existing renewable energy assets to the African Rainbow Energy platform. This will give the platform approximately R6.5 billion ($436.22 million) in gross assets, covering 31 renewable assets, making it one of South Africa’s largest and most diversified independent energy companies.

Increasing investment in renewable energy

According to African Rainbow Energy, this collaboration supports Arep’s goals of using modern, renewable energy technologies to provide affordable electricity in South Africa and across the African continent. Absa Bank has an important position in the South African energy sector and as such plays a key role in the green economy through its commitment to renewable energy development.

The bank, led by Wendy Lucas-Bull, has been involved in the financing of 33 projects to date, representing approximately 3 GW, or 46% of the total number of closed projects in South Africa. Absa’s renewable energy lending amounted to R20bn ($1.34bn) as of 31 December 2020. “Our participation in African Rainbow Energy underlines Absa’s commitment to supporting the development of renewable energy and strengthening the green economy, as part of our sustainability agenda,” says Jason Quinn, Absa’s acting group managing director.

Participation in REIPPP

According to Jason Quinn, renewable energy is an important part of Absa’s sustainability strategy. And the bank aims to finance or arrange more than R100 billion ($6.7 billion) for environmental, social and governance projects by 2025.

Read also- SOUTH AFRICA: IFC lends $150 million to Absa to finance green projects

Absa Bank, a major player in the financing of the energy sector in South Africa, has joined forces with African Rainbow Energy and Power (Arep) to launch a new platform dedicated to financing renewable energy.

19/08/2021

As we are grateful to our clients who are empowering and enabling us to make a difference in the lives of others initiative together with the was done for kids by kids with guidance from our expert team; the beneficiary childrens home is Botlhokwa Bja Nwana in the rural area of Hammanskraal

18/08/2021

Local supermarket brand, Pick n Pay has put out a call for women-owned small businesses to join its supply chain and sell their products through its stores.
In recognition of Women’s Month in South Africa, Pick ‘n Pay is encouraging women entrepreneurs to apply and take part in its Enterprise and Supplier Development Programme (ESD). The programme aims to provide mentorship, guidance and business development support to small businesses entering the retail market.
Seyuba-Kombo, head of enterprise development at Pick ‘n Pay explains that the local retailer is committed to supporting women-led small businesses.
“Women-owned businesses are a really important part of our supply chain. They help us provide an excellent service and some of the best-loved products to happy customers.”
According to a 2020 survey by SME South Africa, 47% of all SMEs in the country are women-led businesses and are “more likely to succeed with assistance from a big business”.
In addition, Pick ‘n Pay will be hosting several talks with leading women in the SME sector and how they began their journey as entrepreneurs, with key insights and tips.
Enterprise and Supplier Development Programme (ESD)
Details on how to apply and the requirements can be found in this detailed document which is available for download here.
According to Pick ‘n Pay, suppliers are chosen for the EDS programme based on product demand and if the product fulfils an existing gap in the market.
There are several requirements to qualifying for the programme and it includes the following:
A company registration certificate
A business proposal of the product or service offered
A VAT registration number and a tax clearance certificate
Annual financial statements
The outcome of the programme aims to integrate the selected women-owned small businesses’ into the retail chain and be on offer to local consumers.
“We want to encourage more women to take that leap of faith and become entrepreneurs. Many of these businesses or services have the potential to succeed and help create jobs. It’s a real privilege to stand behind them and support them all the way,” concludes Seyuba-Kombo.

https://www.food24.com/sa-retailer-calls-on-women-owned-small-businesses/

17/08/2021

The recent power sector decarbonisation report states that it is possible for South Africa to decarbonise its economy and assesses ways to ensure a just transition that is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable.
As a country with one of the most emissions-intensive power sectors in the world, and a nation that is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, South Africa understands the need to transition its economy and to decarbonise, as well as to build resilience to the impacts of climate change.
The central finding of the new report, Decarbonising South Africa’s Power System, released by the National Business Initiative (NBI), together with Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) and Boston Consulting Group (BCG), is that South Africa can fully decarbonise its power sector.
The Power Sector Decarbonisation Report is part of the NBI’s Just Transition and Climate Pathways project and is the first in a series of reports on decarbonisation pathways for sectors of the South African economy.
Joanne Yawitch, NBI CEO, says: “Results from the work to date show that this can be done – but that efforts must begin now. Timing is of the essence and there is no time like the present to create the regulatory and policy environment to support transitioning the economy. This is why business has committed to supporting South Africa’s commitment to find ways to transition to a net-zero emission economy by 2050.”

The recent power sector decarbonisation report states that it is possible for South Africa to decarbonise its economy by 2050.

16/08/2021

Green ammonia can be used to transport green hydrogen from the source of production to the end-user in a cost efficient manner and, owing to its endowment of natural resources, South Africa is ideally positioned to become a major international player in this industry, fuel cell components manufacturer Isondo Precious Metals technical adviser Kevin Fothergill says.

He was speaking during the 'Positioning South Africa for the Green Economy – Ex*****on Strategies' webinar on July 16, which was co-hosted by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) and Isondo.

Fothergill went on to say that there needs to be a detailed understanding of the specifics of the opportunity for green hydrogen in South Africa, so that technologies that capitalise on the country’s natural strengths and meet the needs of its people can be deployed.

However, he cautioned that whatever is done by way of demonstration must be financially viable and that these demonstration projects must lead on to bigger projects.

“There is an enormous global opportunity for green hydrogen in which South Africa can participate and the time is right for South Africa to take part and realise the potential of its natural resources,” Fothergill enthused.

Solar and wind, via the electrolysis of water, can be used to produce green hydrogen which can be used to help decarbonise several industries including steel, chemicals and transportation.

Green ammonia can be used to transport green hydrogen from the source of production to the end-user in a cost efficient manner and, owing to its endowment of natural resources, South Africa is ideally positioned to become a major international player in this industry, fuel cell components manufactur...

11/08/2021

Absa Bank and Globeleq, an independent power producer, have completed the senior debt refinancing of three of the IPP’s renewable power plants in South Africa.

The company hopes to eventually refinance its entire portfolio of assets it owns in South Africa and have started with assets held since the Financial Close of Round 1 of the REIPPP Programme, namely Jeffreys Bay, De Aar and Droogfontein.

The purpose of the refinancing is to enhance the projects’ capital structures, allowing for the release of value to shareholders and the reduction of the tariff to the national utility, and ultimately consumers in South Africa.

The tariff reductions will save the national utility, Eskom, more than one billion rand across the three assets over the remaining 12-year term of the power purchase agreements.

Absa Bank acted as the mandated lead arranger and sole underwriter of the c. R5.2 billion debt financing package.

This transaction will be the second refinancing of renewable assets under the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s Independent Power Producer Office (IPPO) Refinancing Protocol. Globeleq hopes to eventually refinance the entire portfolio of assets it owns in South Africa.

Apart from reducing wholesale electricity prices, the refinancing will unlock funds for the shareholders which, in turn, will encourage re-investment in the sector as well as accelerate equity distributions to the three community trust shareholders, enabling spend on high impact sustainable ventures.

The refinance of renewable assets in South Africa is at the behest of the Independent Power Producer Office’s voluntary Refinancing Protocol.

10/08/2021

ABSA BANK AND African Rainbow Energy and Power (Arep) have partnered to launch African Rainbow Energy (ARE), a renewable energy investment platform with R6.5 billion of gross assets in hand, to expand the pool of funding available in the country as South Africa battles with a constrained energy supply from power utility Eskom.

With a R500 million cash injection from Absa, which will also transfer R5bn of existing renewable assets to the company, ARE would provide investors with exposure to utility scale, commercial and industrial sector clean-energy investments, building a platform of scale in South Africa, and will seek selected, bankable projects in Africa, it said on Friday.

The transaction represents about 25 percent of Absa’s R20bn loan book and will expand its participation in the sector.