DPA to power NRZ properties
BUSINESS REPORTER
The National Railways of Zimbabwe Contributory Pension Fund has selected Distributed Power Africa (DPA) to install 5MW rooftop solar systems at its key properties to help clients mitigate load shedding.
The installation of the solar systems comes as businesses have been hurt by prolonged power cuts due to reduced generation on low water levels at Kariba. They are forced to operate using diesel-powered generators thereby increasing the cost of production.
DPA will install solar systems at various locations of the NRZ Pension Fund clients such as Bon Marche, Gain Cash & Carry, OK Zimbabwe, Pick N Pay, and BancABC. The solar systems will total 5.3MW, making this one of DPA’s most notable projects to date.
DPA Zimbabwe chief executive officer Divyajeet Mahajan said the project will contribute significantly towards relieving the grid.
“We are delighted to be working with the National Railways of Zimbabwe Contributory Pension Fund. The growing awareness among businesses to adopt reliable and cleaner energy is encouraging as it highlights the increasing consciousness towards meeting sustainability goals. We are ready to partner with our clients to deliver solutions that meet their energy needs, especially with the current load-shedding situation in the country,” Mahajan said.
The electricity deficit on the continent has increased the demand for organisations investing in alternative and renewable energy.
The National Railways of Zimbabwe Contributory Pension Fund manages a portfolio of properties across the country, including retail space and office buildings. Installing solar power will ensure occupants have a more reliable and uninterrupted power supply.
“This partnership with DPA fulfills our mission as the Pension fund to manage the Fund in a way that is efficient and responsible. By switching to solar energy, we will save over 2,192 tons of carbon emissions annually, which will help us meet our obligations to our members, our tenants, and the environment,” chairman of the NRZ Contributory Pension Fund Board Takunda Madanha said.
DPA is the renewable energy business of the leading pan-African technology group Cassava Technologies.
DPA’s solutions reduce the carbon footprint of enterprises in Africa whilst providing cost efficiency and energy resilience in data centres, telecommunication towers and Commercial and Industrial power.
