Africa Clean Energy Solutions

What Africa Clean Energy Solutions does

Africa Clean Energy Solutions (trading as ACES Renewables) is a Mauritius-incorporated Independent Power Producer that develops, finances, builds, owns, and operates renewable energy projects across sub-Saharan Africa. Founded in 2007 by Dave Kruger as South Africa Clean Energy Solutions Limited, the group restructured in 2017 to form ACES Renewables Mauritius as the holding company, listed on the Official Market of the Stock Exchange of Mauritius in 2018 (ticker ACES.N0000), and acquired the South African operating business in May 2020. The company currently operates across five countries — South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia — with regional offices in Johannesburg, Livingstone, Kampala, and Nairobi.

The company's technology stack spans solar PV (rooftop and utility-scale, including bifacial panels, single-axis trackers, and centralized inverters), Battery Energy Storage Systems using containerized lithium iron phosphate chemistry (up to 50 MWh), and biomass/biogas hybrid configurations. Notable projects include the operational 10 MWac NCF and Tandii Solar Plants in Namibia (COD Q3 2019, single-axis tracking); the in-development 153 MW Cullinan Solar PV plant in Tshwane, South Africa (US$155M capex, financial close targeted Q2 2025); the 200 MW phased Ravenna Solar Projects in Ekurhuleni (financial close targeted June 2026); the 50 MWh Soroti BESS in Uganda under a 20-year PPA with UETCL; the 22 MW Tana Biogas-Solar Hybrid in Kenya; and the 28 MWp Kazungula Solar PV Project in Zambia supplying a copper-belt mine. The C&I distributed portfolio in South Africa includes rooftop installations for Growthpoint Properties (473 kW), Allied Steelrode (~900 kW combined), Eastgate Lane Office Park (200 kW DC with 600 kWh BESS), PL Steel (360 kW), and several schools.

ACES generates revenue through three primary streams: turnkey EPC contracts for C&I and utility clients (revenue on project completion); long-term Power Purchase Agreements of 20-25 years with industrial offtakers, municipalities, and utilities (recurring contracted electricity sales once projects reach COD); and ongoing O&M services under SLAs. Project-level equity is shared with strategic partners (ACES holds 56-75% stakes across major projects), and political/transfer risk outside South Africa is mitigated via MIGA guarantees. The company's go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting C&I businesses, mining operations, municipalities, and utilities, supported by investor relations activity on the SEM for project equity.

Name

Africa Clean Energy Solutions

Legal name

Africa Clean Energy Solutions Inc.

Website

https://acesrenewables.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ACES Renewables is a Mauritius-listed Independent Power Producer that develops, finances, builds, owns, and operates solar PV, battery storage, biomass, and biogas renewable energy projects for commercial, industrial, mining, and utility clients across five African countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Renewable Energy Infrastructure

NAICS

Solar Electric Power Generation (221114), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211), Electric Power Generation (22111)

SIC

Electric Services (4911), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900), Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)

akta.pro primary industry

Solar Balance-of-Plant EPC (Piles/Foundations, Trenching, Combiner Networks) (EUAEADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Electrical Balance-of-Plant EPC (MV Collection, Cabling, Earthing, Lighting) (EUAEADAB), Transmission Interconnection & Line Works (Gen-Tie Lines, Overhead/Underground Lines) (EUAMAFAF), Commissioning, Testing & Energization Services (Pre-Commissioning, Grid Code Compliance) (EUAMAFAK), SCADA, Controls & Communications Integration (RTU, Fiber, Networking) (EUAEADAD), Civil & Site Works EPC (Earthworks, Roads, Drainage, Foundations) (EUAEADAA)

Keywords

• Renewable energy solutions
• Solar power projects
• Battery energy storage
• Independent power production
• Clean energy engineering

Headquarters

HQ city

Ebène

HQ country

Mauritius

HQ region

Africa

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) Contracts: ACES Renewables delivers turnkey solar and battery storage projects under EPC contracts for commercial, industrial, and utility-scale clients. Revenue is recognized upon project completion and commissioning.
2. Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs): Long-term PPAs with industrial offtakers, municipalities, and utilities provide contracted revenue streams over 20-25 year terms. Revenue is generated from electricity sales once projects reach Commercial Operation Date (COD).
3. Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) Financing: For C&I clients, ACES offers PPA structures where a third-party funds, owns, and maintains the system while the client purchases electricity at a predetermined tariff typically lower than municipal rates.
4. Project Development and Ownership: ACES develops, owns and operates utility-scale renewable energy projects as an Independent Power Producer (IPP). Revenue derived from electricity generation and sales under long-term PPAs with facility operating over 20+ year lifecycles.
5. Operations and Maintenance (O&M): Ongoing O&M services for installed systems including performance monitoring, preventative maintenance, and system optimization under service-level agreements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Africa Clean Energy Solutions (ACES Renewables) is a publicly listed Independent Power Producer that develops, finances, builds, owns, and operates renewable energy projects across five African countries, deploying solar PV, battery energy storage (BESS), biomass, and biogas technologies. The company delivers turnkey EPC solutions for commercial and industrial rooftop solar and hybrid storage systems, develops utility-scale solar PV power plants and biogas-solar hybrids under long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), and provides ongoing operations and maintenance services for installed assets.

Product overview

ACES Renewables (Africa Clean Energy Solutions) is a renewable energy Independent Power Producer (IPP) that develops, finances, builds, owns, and operates clean energy projects across Africa. The company's offering spans utility-scale solar PV power plants (e.g., Cullinan at 153 MW, Ravenna at 200 MW), hybrid solar and biogas plants (Tana at 20 MW), and solar-plus-battery energy storage systems (Soroti 50 MWh BESS), alongside distributed commercial & industrial rooftop solar and battery solutions delivered as turnkey EPC (with options for direct purchase or PPA financing). The portfolio covers four primary technology areas — solar, battery storage, biomass, and biogas — deployed across multiple African countries (South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Namibia) as both project developer and operator.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Clean Energy Project Development & Operations (IPP Service) End-to-end development, financing, construction, ownership, and operation of utility-scale and distributed clean energy projects (solar PV, battery storage, biomass, biogas) across Africa, structured as Independent Power Producer (IPP) investments with Power Purchase Agreement frameworks for commercial, industrial, mining, and municipal offtakers.
• Solar Rooftop & Battery Storage EPC Solutions Turnkey engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services for rooftop and ground-mounted solar PV systems, optionally bundled with battery energy storage systems (BESS), offered directly or through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to commercial, industrial, and institutional clients in South Africa.
• Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) Financing PPA structure in which a third-party funder (arranged through ACES partners) finances, owns, and maintains a solar or battery storage system at the client site, while the client purchases electricity at a predetermined tariff typically lower than municipal rates, with performance guarantees included.
• Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Services Ongoing operations and maintenance services for installed solar PV and battery storage systems, including performance monitoring (via VCOM Meteocontrol platform), preventative maintenance, system optimization under service-level agreements, and energy production guarantees with annual performance reviews.
• NCF and Tandii Solar Plants 10 MWac combined solar PV capacity utility-scale project located in northern Namibia, supplying clean electricity to the national grid under Power Purchase Agreements with NamPower, using single-axis tracking technology for enhanced energy yield.
• Cullinan Solar PV Power Plant A 153 MW (phase 1) utility-scale solar photovoltaic power plant located in the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa, delivering electricity to industrial and commercial off-takers via grid wheeling agreements and a 56.6/43.4 ownership split with Cullinan Energy Partner.
• Tana Biogas Solar Hybrid Power Plant A 20 MW hybrid power plant in Malindi, Kenya, combining biogas anaerobic digestion and solar PV generation with battery storage, owned 70% by ACES Renewables and 30% by a project equity partner.
• Ravenna Solar Projects A 200 MW phased utility-scale solar programme in City of Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, South Africa, supplying power to municipal off-takers under long-term Power Purchase Agreements, with construction expected to create approximately 350 jobs.
• Soroti 50MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Utility-scale project in Uganda combining 25 MWp solar PV generation with a 50 MWh lithium iron battery energy storage system, contracted under a 20-year PPA with UETCL for grid stability and peak demand management.
• Kazungula Solar PV Project A 25 MW (28 MWp) solar PV project in Kazungula, Zambia, generating approximately 46,860,200 kWh annually via grid wheeling to supply clean energy to a copper-belt mine under a Power Purchase Agreement.
• Growthpoint Properties Rooftop Solar Portfolio A 473 kW grid-tied rooftop solar installation across four buildings for Growthpoint Properties in Johannesburg, South Africa, delivering approximately 35% cost savings on monthly electricity bills with an average 85% monthly performance ratio.
• Allied Steelrode Rooftop Solar Installations Combined 900 kW rooftop solar PV installations at Allied Steelrode's Alrode headquarters (600 kW) and Meyerton facility (300 kW), featuring Huawei SUN2000 inverters and Trina solar panels, supplying approximately 30% of the company's energy demand.
• Eastgate Lane Office Park Hybrid Energy System A 200 kW DC rooftop solar system at Eastgate Lane Office Park in Bedfordview, comprising 100 kVA grid-tied and 100 kVA hybrid inverters with 600 kWh lithium-ion battery storage, reducing grid dependence by approximately 50% with VCOM Meteocontrol remote monitoring.
• School Solar Projects (Beaulieu & Kyalami) Rooftop hybrid solar PV and battery storage installations at Beaulieu Preparatory College and School (each 100 kW with 300/240 kWh Li-Ion BESS) and Kyalami Nursery and Preparatory School (30 kW + 80/64 kWh BESS and 50 kW + 160/128 kWh BESS) in South Africa.
• PL Steel Rooftop Solar A 360 kW grid-tied rooftop solar installation for PL Steel in South Africa, delivering 40% savings on electricity costs and 40% savings on monthly generator costs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 35% cost savings on monthly electricity bills for commercial properties
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Sustainable Power SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019ACES Renewables subsidiary ARCP partnered with Sustainable Power Solutions as project developer and execution partner for the NCF and Tandii Solar Plants in Namibia. This equity partnership delivered 10 MWac combined capacity, achieving commercial operation in Q3 2019 and official opening December 2021.
• NamPowercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNamibia's national utility is the offtaker for NCF and Tandii Solar Plants, having signed Power Purchase Agreements with the projects. NamPower manages grid integration and purchased clean electricity from the 10 MWac plants, supporting Namibia's renewable energy targets.
• ZESCOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZambia's national electricity utility. ACES Renewables has MoU with ZESCO for grid access for the Kazungula Solar PV Project. ZESCO involvement includes feasibility study permissions and grid connection infrastructure for wheeling power to copper-belt mines.
• Victoria Falls University of TechnologysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Victoria Falls University of Technology in Zambia includes scholarship funding for disadvantaged adolescent girls and skills development training in renewable energy sector. Students gain hands-on experience with solar energy projects.
• Ministry of Energy (Zambia)coreOthersLetter from Ministry of Energy granting permission for feasibility studies for Kazungula Solar PV Project. Ministry oversees national energy policy and project alignment with Zambia's development objectives.
• Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA)supportingOthersRegulatory body overseeing environmental compliance. ZEMA involvement ensures Environmental Management Plan implementation and biodiversity conservation for the Kazungula project.
• Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) - UgandacoreOthersUganda's national energy regulator overseeing licensing and compliance. ERA involvement in Soroti BESS project ensures regulatory approvals and tariff approval for the 20-year PPA structure.
• Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational system operator playing central role in Soroti BESS grid integration, system operation, and grid connection agreements. Draft PPA established with UETCL featuring approved tariff, 20-year term with take-or-pay provisions.
• Tana Solar Hybrid Project Partner (30% Stake)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner30% equity partner in Tana Biogas Solar Hybrid project (Kenya). ACES Renewables holds 70% stake. Project estimated at US$49.2 million with partner contributing to equity investment of US$12.28 million.
• Unergy Uganda Partner (25% Stake)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner25% equity partner in Unergy Solar BESS project (Uganda). ACES Renewables holds 75% stake. Project estimated at US$28 million with equity investment of US$7 million.
• Cullinan Energy Partner (43.4% Stake)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner43.4% equity partner in Cullinan Solar PV project (South Africa). ACES Renewables holds 56.6% stake. Project estimated at US$155 million with equity investment of US$32 million.
• SACE ProjectssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth African BBBEE company providing bespoke energy solutions for commercial enterprises, industrial complexes, office buildings, educational institutions, agricultural lands, and mining operations. Supports ACES Renewables' black economic empowerment objectives.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• African Clean Energy (ACE): Clean energy technology company focused on clean cookstoves and distributed energy in Africa. Thematically adjacent in the African clean energy space but focused on smaller-scale distributed solutions rather than utility-scale IPP.
• Cummins Cogeneration Kenya: Power generation and IPP operator in East Africa including Kenya and Uganda. Adjacent peer in the East African distributed and utility-scale power generation market where ACES is developing the Soroti BESS and Tana projects.

Broad incumbents

• Scatec ASA: Norwegian-listed renewable IPP with significant African solar and wind project portfolio including South Africa REIPPP projects. Comparable as a multi-country African utility-scale renewable IPP, though much larger and more diversified across technologies.
• Globeleq: British renewable energy IPP operating across Africa including South Africa, Kenya, and Zambia. Comparable as a multi-country African renewable IPP developing utility-scale projects with similar PPA structures.
• juwi Renewable Energies: German-headquartered global renewable energy EPC and IPP with operations across Africa including South Africa. Comparable as a multi-technology renewable project developer in African markets, though significantly larger and more diversified.

Direct peers

• Pele Energy Group: South African independent power producer developing utility-scale solar and wind projects across Africa. Direct competitor with similar project development, IPP, and PPA structuring capabilities in the same African markets.
• BioTherm Energy: South African renewable IPP focused on wind and solar projects under REIPPP, owned by African Infrastructure Investment Managers. Competes directly with ACES in the South African utility-scale renewable project pipeline.
• Mulilo Renewable Energy: South African renewable energy IPP developing utility-scale solar PV and wind projects under REIPPP. Direct competitor in the South African utility-scale solar space with comparable IPP-PPA business model.
• SolarAfrica: South African commercial and industrial solar PV provider offering PPA-financed rooftop and ground-mounted solutions. Closest direct peer in C&I rooftop solar and PPA financing for South African enterprises.
• Distributed Energy: South African renewable energy company providing solar PV and energy storage solutions for commercial, industrial, and residential customers. Competes in the same C&I rooftop solar and battery storage segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCYTbrL-3kpkMyHahX2S4gfg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/africa-clean-energy-solutions
• Xx.com/AcesRenewables

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries4 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 Africa Clean Energy Solutions