UK Climate Investments supports development of 254MW of clean energy with ~£14 million (R253 million) agreement in South Africa

Cape Town: 19 August 2019

UK Climate Investments (UKCI) has announced a ~£14 million (R253 million) agreement with H1 Holdings to support the development of 254MW of clean energy projects across South Africa.

Established in 2000, H1 Holdings is a majority black-owned and managed developer of renewable energy projects. UKCI will provide critical financing for the development of the Kruisvallei Hydro project in the Free State province (4MW), Kangnas Wind Farm in the Northern Cape province (140MW) and the Perdekraal East Wind Farm in the Western Cape province (110MW). The financing will be provided through an innovative funding mechanism developed by UKCI in close consultation with H1 Holdings and designed to support Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) entities.

The projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2020 and provide enough clean electricity to power nearly 200,000 homes each year. During their lifetime, they will help avoid approximately 844,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per annum.

Richard Abel, Managing Director of UKCI, said: “Over 90% of electricity generation capacity in South Africa currently relies on fossil fuels. Our partnership with H1 Holdings supports the country’s transition to a new energy mix – promoting cleaner growth in southern Africa’s largest economy whilst stimulating economic development in rural areas and supporting increased BEE participation in the renewables sector.”

Reyburn Hendricks, Chief Executive Officer of H1 Holdings, said: “H1 Holdings is proud to be working with UK Climate Investments on promoting access to cleaner electricity in southern Africa. Energy is a highly capital-intensive industry and access to finance is a challenge across the industry for all players. Our partnership will help to address the need for new generation capacity in South Africa.”

Nigel Casey, British High Commissioner to South Africa, said: “The South African Government recently underlined that secure energy supply is essential for the country’s development, and that they are committed to expanding the availability of renewable power. I’m delighted that the British Government is supporting this, through UK Climate Investments and their partners, through this significant investment in three renewable energy projects, in partnership with H1 Holdings, a majority black-owned and managed company. In this way, the British Government is simultaneously supporting the low carbon transition, and economic transformation, in South Africa.”

In addition to promoting cleaner growth, the projects will stimulate rural development by employing and training at least 40 per cent of construction, operations and maintenance staff from local communities.

The UK is a world leader in the global transition to a low carbon future. UK expertise in renewables will be key to meeting the UK Government’s ambitious target of net zero emissions by 2050 and supporting emerging countries respond to the challenges and opportunities of climate change.

The investment represents UKCI’s second commitment in Sub-Saharan Africa and fifth investment in total. In January, UKCI and Investec announced that they would act as cornerstone investors in Revego Africa Energy Limited. The dedicated African renewable energy yieldco intends to seek a listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange later in 2019, targeting an initial listing size of R2 billion.  

UKCI is a joint venture between the Green Investment Group and the UK Government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. UKCI forms part of the UK aid funded International Climate Finance. UKCI is managed by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets, the world’s largest infrastructure manager.

Media enquiries

Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets
Patrick Gallagher (London)
+44 77 9535 3820
Patrick.Gallagher@macquarie.com

H1 Holdings
Janine Tilley (Cape Town)
+27 21 201 6432
jt@h1holdings.co.za

About UK Climate Investments

UKCI is a £200 million pilot investment programme mandated to invest in India and sub-Saharan Africa. It targets transformational green energy investments where UKCI capital can mobilise additional private sector capital on a sustainable basis to promote cleaner, greener growth in these developing economies. UK Climate Investments LLP (UKCI) is a joint venture between the Green Investment Group and the UK Government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. It forms part of the UK aid funded International Climate Finance, which is a UK Government commitment to support emerging markets and developing countries to respond to the challenges and opportunities of climate change. For further information, please visit: www.greeninvestmentgroup.com/funds/international/ and www.gov.uk/guidance/international-climate-finance

About Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets

Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA) is one of the world’s leading alternative asset managers. For more than twenty-five years, MIRA has partnered with investors, governments and communities to manage, develop and enhance assets relied on by more than 100 million people each day. As at 31 March 2019, MIRA managed approximately £99 billion in assets that are essential to the sustainable development of economies and communities, including; 155 portfolio businesses, 600+ properties and ~4.7 million hectares of farmland.

MIRA is a part of Macquarie Asset Management, the asset management arm of Macquarie Group, a diversified financial group providing clients with asset management and finance, banking, advisory and risk and capital solutions across debt, equity and commodities. Founded in 1969, Macquarie employs more than 15,700 people in 30 markets. For further information, please visit: www.MIRAFunds.com

About H1 Holdings

H1 Holdings is a private investment company based in South Africa. The purpose of H1 Holdings is to improve the quality of life by producing cleaner energy. H1 Holdings develops, invests and operates clean energy projects.

H1 Holdings has built significant operational and technical capacity in the clean energy sector.  H1 Holdings has interests in nine renewable energy power plants, with a gross generation capacity of 660MW. For further information, please visit: www.h1holdings.co.za