Discovery Green, the renewable energy platform of the Discovery group, has teamed up with Sasol to offer SA businesses easy access to clean energy via the national grid.
As Ampli Energy provides green electricity to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), corporates and NGOs wheeled via Eskom’s grid, users don’t have to invest in renewable infrastructure yet are able to reduce their carbon footprint and electricity costs.
The wheeling model, previously only accessible to intensive energy users such as Sasol, delivers energy generated at remote wind and solar farms directly to businesses through existing Eskom infrastructure.
“Ampli Energy pays businesses monthly cash back to replace their electricity consumption with clean, grid-delivered renewable energy,” the companies said in a statement.
The companies described the new product as a “market-first, no-fee, no-risk, month-to-month membership” model that enables businesses to replace much of their electricity consumption with renewable energy.
Andre Nepgen, head of Discovery Green, said Ampli Energy addressed the growing demand for renewable energy products that are accessible and affordable for businesses of all sizes, particularly SMEs.
“Sasol has already procured more than 750MW of renewable generation capacity, a significant achievement for a private sector player, and consumes vast amounts of electricity. This scale enables Sasol to support the construction of large renewable energy plants at low cost,” he said.
“The savings from these low-cost plants are then shared with SMEs through Ampli Energy’s cashback programme,” he said.
Nepgen said the model unlocked generation capacity for the market and encouraged businesses to subscribe for the renewable energy supplied.
The first tranche of clients will receive power from the 69MW Msenge Emoyeni Wind Farm, Eastern Cape, in which Sasol holds a 20-year power purchase agreement.
Initial customers include Nando’s, NetFlorist, Hatfield Motors, Sealand Gear, selected Sasol garages and NGOs such as Reach for a Dream and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital.
Sasol CEO Simon Baloyi said Ampli Energy marked the beginning of a new model for delivering green power to a wider market, especially SMEs, which drive the economy.
Energy & electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said Ampli Energy was a “sea change” that made access to green power more inclusive, extending it beyond large utility-scale developers.
“Ongoing reforms are opening the electricity sector to new generation players beyond Eskom’s monopoly,” Ramokgopa said.
Nepgen acknowledged ongoing grid constraints but pointed to significant investments in transmission infrastructure to support growing renewable capacity.
“What sets Ampli Energy apart is Discovery’s existing relationships with more than 10,000 corporate clients and a strong advisory network to support businesses in their energy transition,” Nepgen said.
“This scale and expertise, combined with Sasol’s generation capacity and market experience, create a unique value proposition in SA’s renewable energy landscape.”
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