Load shedding: Renewable energy platform launched for SA businesses

This platform connects businesses to cost-effective, renewable energy from large-scale renewable plants using a method called “wheeling” through the national grid.

South Africa’s national grid has been under severe strain, resulting in rolling blackouts.

By sourcing 400MW to 1GW of wind and solar energy from top local and international Independent Power Producers, the platform will attract an investment of about R20-R25bn in the country’s energy infrastructure.

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This is equivalent to 2700 solar farms or 200-250 wind turbines and will reduce CO2 emissions by 2.75 million tonnes annually, equal to 100 times the emissions of a company like Discovery Limited.

Initially available to medium to large electricity consumers connected to Eskom distribution, the platform’s early users include Discovery’s corporate partners. Over time, it will expand to other clients in South Africa as new wheeling frameworks emerge.

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Discovery Green will supply enrolled businesses with renewable energy starting in 2026, helping them lower emissions and address the national electricity deficit.

“Discovery Green was built with our goal of being carbon neutral by 2025 in mind,” said Andre Nepgen, Head of Discovery Green.

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“It addresses a fundamental issue of renewable energy – that energy is only generated when the sun shines or the wind blows, yet businesses consume based on their individual needs.

“With the benefit of aggregation, modelling and diversification, Discovery Green is able to offer products that are completely different to the market’s share-of-plant approach.”

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For most non-industrial businesses, electricity generation is a major source of emissions – about 80% of Scope 1&2 emissions.

• Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from sources that are owned or controlled by an organization, such as emissions from fuel combustion for heating, power generation, and transportation.
• Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heat, and cooling, such as emissions from the power plants that generate the electricity that an organisation uses.

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