SolarAfrica, an independent power producer and leader in renewable energy solutions, recently announced the launch of Electricity 2.0, a suite of virtual power options that offers South African businesses a cost-effective and greener alternative to traditional utility power. The innovative solution provides companies in the commercial and industrial sectors with the ability to mitigate rising electricity prices and accelerate their progress towards their sustainability goals.
Addressing a Growing Energy Crisis
With utility tariffs skyrocketing by over 450% in the past decade, businesses have faced increasing pressure to manage energy costs while also meeting local and international demands for carbon reduction. SolarAfrica’s Electricity 2.0 addresses these challenges by giving businesses more control over where they source their power, providing access to cheaper and 100% green energy.
“We’re seeing a lot of uncertainty in the energy sector,” said Brandon Horn, Head of Commercial at SolarAfrica. “Volatile tariff hikes and fluctuating loadshedding make it nearly impossible for businesses to forecast their electricity spend. Electricity 2.0 offers something South African businesses have been in desperate need of certainty. Now you can know what your power will cost over the next 20 years, and you have more control of how quickly you can reach your sustainability goals.”
A Game-Changer for Energy Independence
Electricity 2.0 includes a range of virtual power solutions with Wheeling as the first option available for sign-up. Wheeling allows businesses to receive power generated from several of SolarAfrica’s solar farms, including the 1 GW SunCentral project in the Northern Cape, without the need for on-site solar installations or construction.
The suite also introduces enhanced energy trading options, consolidated billing, and AI-driven innovation for metering data, streamlining how businesses manage and optimise their energy usage.
“For SolarAfrica, it’s always been about giving business owners the power to choose where they get their power from whatever that source may be,” said Horn. “With Electricity 2.0, businesses now have more options to create an energy mix that helps them save money and go green in a sustainable, meaningful way.”
Maximising Savings and Sustainability
The benefits of Electricity 2.0 go beyond cost savings. By integrating virtual power with SolarAfrica’s existing solar and battery solutions, businesses can dramatically reduce their electricity bills. For instance, a 24-hour electricity user with a monthly bill of R16 million can cut their costs by R4.5 million per month and reduce their utility power use by 60%, equating to yearly savings of nearly R55 million.
“Businesses that embrace Electricity 2.0 will not only see immediate cost reductions but also fast-track their carbon reduction targets -an increasingly critical factor in today’s market,” Horn added.
A Bright Future for South Africa’s Energy Landscape
SolarAfrica’s Electricity 2.0 is set to transform the energy landscape for businesses across South Africa, providing a scalable, flexible, and green energy solution for those looking to achieve energy independence and sustainability in the face of growing energy challenges.
