Africa Data Centres, a Cassava Technologies group company, has partnered with DPA Southern Africa, to construct a solar farm in the Free State, South Africa, in a bid to develop sustainable energy solutions
This development is part of a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) signed in March 2023 with DPA Southern Africa, a subsidiary of the French utility company, EDF. The primary objective of the solar farm in the Free State is to provide renewable energy to Africa Data Centres sites, beginning with the state-of-the-art CPT1 data centre in Cape Town.
President and Group CEO of Cassava Technologies, Hardy Pemhiwa, was enthused about the initiative, saying it “positions Africa Data Centres as a trailblazer in the data centre industry in responding to South Africa’s energy crisis through sustainable technology solutions. This is in line with a broader industry shift towards innovative, eco-friendly practices.”
CEO of Africa Data Centres, Tesh Durvasula, stressed the company’s commitment to powering all data centres with clean, renewable energy sources. Durvasula stated, “today’s announcement represents a significant stride in our initiative to energise South African data centres sustainably, advancing our objective of achieving carbon neutrality.”
Speaking on the collaboration’s shared commitment to sustainability, CEO of DPA Southern Africa, Nawfal El Fadil, noted, “Africa Data Centres, as a pioneer in the data centre industry, has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability, aligning seamlessly with our company’s values.” El Fadil added, “we are thrilled and honoured to contribute to Africa Data Centres’ mission of achieving carbon neutrality.”
El Fadil also stressed the importance of innovation and collective determination in achieving carbon neutrality. “At the heart of our collaboration lies a shared understanding that the path to carbon neutrality extends beyond infrastructure—it demands innovation, expertise, and collective determination to overcome challenges,” he noted.
This solar farm project aligns with Africa Data Centres’ ambitious plans to become the most sustainable colocation provider on the continent. Durvasula highlighted the company’s broader sustainability objectives, including achieving net-zero status at all facilities.
“Data centres worldwide face scrutiny for their reliance on grid power and renewables, and Africa is no exception. Africa Data Centres is actively addressing this issue by generating renewable energy, alleviating strain on the local grid,” Durvasula added that Africa Data Centres sustainability objectives “encompass achieving net-zero status at all facilities, making this project another significant stride towards reaching that goal.”
Source: APO Group
By Derrick Kafui Deti – Digital Economy Magazine
