MBHE Group

What MBHE Group does

MBHE Group (Pty) Ltd is a privately-held, founder-owned holistic energy services company headquartered in Centurion, South Africa, founded in 1996. The group operates through three subsidiaries — MBH Energy (boilers and heat recovery, established 1996), MBHE Environmental (waste-to-energy and integrated waste management, established 2015), and MBHE Zambia Limited (a CEEC-certified majority citizen-owned joint venture for Solar PV EPC, established 2019) — with an operational footprint spanning South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Uganda, and Zambia, plus planned expansion into Malawi.

The group's core technology portfolio covers Solar PV (grid-tied and off-grid, 126 kWp to 26 MW scale), Water Tube Boilers (with superheated temperatures up to 520°C, designed for biomass and fossil fuels), Biogas (anaerobic digestion and landfill gas), Waste-to-Energy (integrated waste management targeting zero-waste-to-landfill), and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) for peak shaving and arbitrage. Proprietary engineering assets include the MBHE BioBurn Combustion Chamber, MBHE BioBurn Grates, specialized Biomass Fuel Feeder Systems, and first-in-Africa DSC Underthrow Feeders and DSC Roto Grate systems deployed at the NamPower Van Eck Power Station. The company claims over 60 years of collective boiler-industry experience across in-house mechanical, electrical, chemical, and industrial engineers.

MBHE generates revenue through four streams: (1) one-time EPC fees for designing, supplying, installing, and commissioning renewable energy systems; (2) recurring revenue from Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) on partially-owned assets such as Rotopak (359 kWp) and the 26 MW CSM Pemba project; (3) one-time boiler design, manufacturing, and erection contracts (e.g., R96m CEF biomass island, R65m NamPower Van Eck rehabilitation); and (4) long-term energy asset ownership revenue including government PPAs and energy sales. The go-to-market is B2B enterprise sales-led, targeting commercial, industrial, utility-scale, and government clients across Africa. Distribution leverages direct enterprise engagement, long-standing engineering consulting partnerships (Anderson Consulting, DJJC, Pienaar & Erwee), property group relationships (Resilient REIT, GMI Property Group, Fortress REIT, Landmark Properties), industry association membership (SAPVIA, SAESA), and a Standard Bank financing partnership that enables Capex-free solar deployments through bank-led referrals.

Name

MBHE Group

Legal name

MBHE Group (Pty) Ltd

Website

https://mbhenergy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

MBHE Group is a privately-held South African energy services company founded in 1996, offering integrated Solar PV, boiler, biogas, waste-to-energy, and battery storage project development, manufacturing, EPC, and asset ownership for commercial, industrial, utility, and government clients across five African countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Renewable Energy Services

NAICS

Electric Power Generation (22111), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211)

SIC

Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991), Electric Services (4911)

akta.pro primary industry

Microgrid EPC, Integration & Commissioning (Design-Build, Interconnection) (EUAFAJAI)

Keywords

• Renewable energy services
• Solar pv installations
• Water tube boilers
• Waste-to-energy
• Biogas systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Centurion

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) Services: MBHE designs, supplies, installs and commissions renewable energy systems (Solar PV, boilers, biogas) for commercial, industrial and utility-scale clients. Revenue is generated through project-based one-time fees for design, equipment supply, and installation services.
2. Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): MBHE owns a portion of certain solar projects (e.g., Rotopak) and sells the generated electricity back to the client under a long-term PPA. This provides recurring revenue over the contract period.
3. Boiler Design, Manufacturing & Erection: MBH Energy designs, manufactures, erects and commissions water tube boilers for industrial and power station applications. Revenue is generated through equipment supply contracts and installation services, including retrofit and refurbishment projects.
4. Energy Asset Ownership: MBHE develops, implements and owns operational energy assets that lead to sustainability and cleaner production, including waste-to-energy plants. Ownership generates long-term revenue through energy sales and government PPAs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

MBHE Group is a holistic renewable energy services company that develops, designs, supplies, installs, commissions and operates energy projects including grid-tied and off-grid Solar PV systems, industrial and power station Water Tube Boilers, Biogas plants, Waste-to-Energy facilities, and Battery Energy Storage Systems. The group also manufactures proprietary combustion and grate technology (BioBurn systems, DSC feeders) and provides end-to-end project development services from feasibility through financing to operations.

Product overview

MBHE Group is a holistic energy services company offering an integrated portfolio of renewable energy solutions. The group comprises three main subsidiaries: MBH Energy (the founding company since 1996, specializing in Water Tube Boilers and heat recovery), MBHE Environmental (established 2015, focused on waste-to-energy and integrated waste management), and MBHE Zambia Limited (established 2019, serving the Zambian market). The core product offerings include Solar PV Solutions (grid-tied and off-grid), Boilers and Steam/Heat Recovery Systems, Biogas Solutions, Waste-to-Energy (WtE) project development, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) with peak shaving capabilities, and end-to-end Project Development Services. The company operates across Southern Africa with projects in South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Mozambique, and Uganda.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Solar PV Solutions Grid-tied and off-grid solar photovoltaic systems including design, supply, installation, and operation for commercial, industrial, and utility-scale clients.
• Boilers – Steam & Heat Recovery Design engineering, supply, installation, and commissioning of Water Tube Boilers for industrial and power station applications, with superheated temperatures up to 520°C across fossil fuels and biofuels including wood chip and bagasse.
• Biogas Solutions Biogas production through anaerobic digestion and landfill gas installations, supporting effluent treatment, water recovery, and organic fertiliser generation with a goal of zero waste to landfill.
• Waste-to-Energy Integrated waste management project development converting waste streams into energy through Biogas and Waste-to-Energy technologies, including material recovery facilities for recycling.
• Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Battery energy storage solutions including load analysis, feasibility studies, battery sizing, and hybrid integration with Solar PV and Battery Management Systems, supporting peak shaving and arbitrage.
• Project Development Services Comprehensive renewable energy project development services from pre-feasibility through implementation, including fatal flaw analysis, technology evaluation, financial modelling, techno-economic feasibility studies, and regulatory compliance.

Quantifiable outcome

• 256,000 kWh renewable energy generated in first year at Vodacom/Louwdlardia Logistics Park, powering ~285 houses and saving ~271 tonnes CO2
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Moz EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2019MBHE partnered with Moz Energy and EDM (Electricidade de Moçambique) for the 26 MW CSM Solar PV project in Pemba, Mozambique. Moz Energy is a local development partner, with MBHE providing EPC expertise and project development capabilities.
• EDM (Electricidade de Moçambique)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerElectricidade de Moçambique (EDM) is the national electricity utility of Mozambique. MBHE partnered with EDM alongside Moz Energy for the 26 MW CSM solar PV project, which requires grid connection and utility cooperation.
• Standard Bank South AfricacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMBHE is a Standard Bank accredited Solar EPC, enabling Standard Bank to refer solar project financing clients to MBHE. This partnership also enables MBHE to offer Standard Bank finance on solar projects, lowering client Capex barriers.
• Central Energy Fund (CEF) / CCEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEF (through subsidiary CCE) awarded MBHE a R96m contract to design, manufacture and erect an 8.3MW biomass power island in George. This was a major turning point for MBHE, cementing its position in power generation.
• NamPower (Namibia Power Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNamPower awarded MBHE a R65m contract for rehabilitation work at Van Eck Power Station in Windhoek, Namibia. This project modernized firing equipment and the Roto Grate system, first of its type in Africa.
• SAPVIA (South African Photovoltaic Industry Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMBHE is a member of SAPVIA, providing industry networking, participation in policy development, and visibility within the South African solar PV sector.
• SAESA (South African Energy Storage Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMBHE is a member of SAESA, providing industry presence in the energy storage sector as MBHE expands its BESS offerings.
• Anderson Consulting EngineerscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAnderson Consulting Engineers has collaborated with MBHE on multiple projects including Arbour Crossing Mall (Resilient REIT), AkzoNobel, and Equinox Mall, acting as the consulting engineering firm on these solar installations.
• Pienaar & Erwee EngineerscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPienaar & Erwee Engineers has partnered with MBHE on multiple Resilient REIT projects (Tzaneng Mall, Tubatse Crossing) and other solar PV installations as the consulting engineering firm.
• DJJC Consulting EngineerscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDJJC Consulting Engineers has worked with MBHE on GMI Property Group projects including Tibani Shopping Centre, Steilloop Shopping Centre, and Sky City Mall.
• Zenith DesignminorOthersZenith Design designed the CSM logo for the Central Solar de Mecúfi project in Mozambique, creating branding materials for the project's groundbreaking ceremony.
• Gothic ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerListed as a previous client/partner on the About Us page alongside other notable companies including Sasol, Illovo, Tongaat Hulett, and Interwaste.
• Illovo SugarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIllovo Sugar is listed as a previous client. MBHE has worked with major sugar producers on boiler and energy projects in Southern Africa.
• SasolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSasol is listed as a previous client/partner on the About Us page, indicating past collaboration in the energy sector.
• Interwaste / Waste Management SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a previous client/partner, indicating collaboration on waste management or environmental projects.
• Maragra AçucareiraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a previous client, indicating past boiler or energy project collaboration at the Maragra sugar mill in Mozambique.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• BioTherm Energy: South African independent power producer focused on renewable energy projects under REIPPP. Highly comparable to MBHE's biomass power island and waste-to-energy IPP business, including preferred bidder status in South African government procurement programmes.
• SolarAfrica: South African commercial and industrial solar PV and energy solutions provider. Direct competitor to MBHE in C&I rooftop and ground-mounted solar EPC across Southern Africa, with overlapping customer base in retail, healthcare and manufacturing.
• Mulilo Energy Holdings: South African renewable energy developer and operator with utility-scale solar and wind projects under REIPPP. Competes with MBHE for utility-scale renewable tenders and shares the same South African C&I/utility customer opportunity set.
• Energy Partners: South African integrated energy solutions company offering solar PV, energy efficiency, and steam/heat solutions for C&I clients. Highly comparable to MBHE's combined boiler heritage and renewable EPC offering.
• juwi Renewable Energies South Africa: Subsidiary of German juwi Group offering solar PV and wind EPC in South Africa. Comparable to MBHE as a multi-technology renewable EPC with operations in Southern Africa targeting C&I and utility-scale customers.
• Cennergi: South African renewable energy IPP with wind and solar projects under REIPPP, partly owned by Exxaro. Competes with MBHE in South African utility-scale renewable bidding and shares focus on biomass-adjacent power generation.

Broad incumbents

• Mainstream Renewable Power: Global renewable energy developer with significant African wind and solar project pipeline. Larger incumbent competing with MBHE for utility-scale renewable IPP roles across Southern Africa.
• Globeleq South Africa: Pan-African renewable energy platform operating wind, solar and biomass IPPs across multiple African countries. Broader incumbent than MBHE but competes for the same utility-scale African renewable tenders and asset-ownership opportunities.

Others

• Standard Bank Solar Finance (channel): Standard Bank's solar finance programme refers clients to accredited EPCs including MBHE. Functions as both a financing partner and indirect competitor landscape: banks structure similar programmes with rival EPCs, shaping the addressable C&I solar financing market.

Emerging players

• Drakensberg Energy (waste-to-energy): Emerging South African waste-to-energy developer. Comparable emerging competitor to MBHE's MBHE Environmental subsidiary in landfill gas and waste-to-biogas project development across South Africa.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MBHEGroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mbh-energy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MBHE Group