Black-owned IPP ups empowerment stake in NC wind farm

DLO Energy Resources, an independent power producer (IPP) based in Johannesburg, has increased its stake in the Longyuan Mulilo Wind Projects B-BBEE special purpose vehicle by 30%.

According to the renewable energy company, the move solidifies it as the largest black female-owned shareholder in an operational wind farm in the country.

The project, which is based in the Northern Cape and has a combined capacity of 244 megawatts of energy generation, is the result of a collaboration between DLO Energy Resources Group, China Longyuan Power Group Corporation, a consortium of South African entities, and a local community trust.

DLO CEO Linda Mabhena-Olagunju noted in a statement her concerns about the level of female participation in the energy sector. She said widening female access to the energy value chain will be the key focus of the African Women Leadership Summit that will be hosted by her entity in August.

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“The renewable energy sector still has a long way to go in respect [of] transformation and female representation especially when it comes to ownership and operational involvement,” she said.

“One of the initiatives we have undertaken as a company is to leverage our knowledge and experience gathered over the years. We aim to use our platform to empower and support female entrepreneurs by providing them with guidance in identifying opportunities within the renewable energy market.

“The summit will offer a workshop on understanding the renewable energy value chain. We encourage suppliers to attend as there are many opportunities in the sector,” she added.

Read: Significant opportunities throughout the energy and electricity sectors of South Africa

The Northern Cape, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal have been identified as some of the areas with the best wind energy potential in the country.

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