Etana Energy
Etana Energy is a NERSA-licensed electricity trader in South Africa that wheels renewable electricity from wind, solar, and hydro IPPs to large power users — primarily mining companies, commercial property groups, and industrial manufacturers — via 5–20 year Power Purchase Agreements.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersCape Town, South Africa
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Etana Energy does
Etana Energy is a NERSA-licensed electricity trader headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa, that supplies wheeled renewable electricity to large power users (LPUs) through the national Eskom grid and selected municipal networks. The company aggregates generation from a blended portfolio of wind, solar, and hydroelectric independent power producers and delivers it to enterprise customers under long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) of 5–20 years. Etana is 51% Black-owned (qualifying for BBBEE spend), is backed by Chariot Limited and H1 Holdings, and has secured R2.8 billion in guarantee facilities from GuarantCo, BII, Standard Bank, and Norfund to underwrite renewable project development.
Etana's core product is its "Share of Portfolio" subscription model, under which customers subscribe to a share of Etana's diversified generation portfolio and pay only for electricity consumed, with no upfront capital and CPI-linked annual escalations. The company's proprietary innovation is a first-of-its-kind pooled wheeling model — implemented with Growthpoint Properties and the City of Cape Town — that dynamically allocates renewable electricity from remote generators across a portfolio of customer sites on a municipal grid, simplifying allocation and settlement. Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) are bundled into the tariff for credible Scope 2 reporting, and customers achieve up to 70% renewable coverage through the wind-and-solar blend. The company is currently transitioning from pre-revenue to commercial scale: its first operational asset, the 5MW Boston Hydroelectric Plant, achieved commercial operation in October 2025, while over 500MW of additional wind and solar capacity (Du Plessis Dam Solar PV2, Zen and Bergrivier wind farms, Orkney Solar) is in construction or under financial close, targeted for commissioning in 2026–2027.
Etana serves three primary segments: (1) Large Power Users in mining (gold, PGMs, diamonds), including Sibanye-Stillwater, Tharisa, and Petra Diamonds; (2) Commercial Real Estate / REITs, led by Growthpoint Properties with a 195 GWh/year PPA and plans to extend pooled wheeling to 30+ properties; and (3) Industrial Manufacturing (Autocast, Umicore, SJM Flex, SP Forge). It has signed more than 20 PPAs overall. Revenue is generated through flat-rate R/kWh PPAs (subscription/recurring), with REC supply bundled in and wheeling settlement managed by Etana as licensed trader. The go-to-market is a direct, consultative enterprise sales motion, supported by content marketing, earned media, and industry events such as Windaba.
Etana Energy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Etana Energy
- Legal name
- Etana Energy
- Website
- https://etana.energy
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Etana Energy is a NERSA-licensed electricity trader in South Africa that wheels renewable electricity from wind, solar, and hydro IPPs to large power users — primarily mining companies, commercial property groups, and industrial manufacturers — via 5–20 year Power Purchase Agreements.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Etana Energy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Renewable Electricity Trading and Wheeling
- NAICS
- Wind Electric Power Generation (221115), Solar Electric Power Generation (221114), Hydroelectric Power Generation (221111)
- SIC
- Electric Services (4911), Security & Commodity Brokers, Dealers, Exchanges & Services (6200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Trading Platforms, ETRM/CTRM & Market Connectivity (APIs, Messaging, Integrations) (EUAMAMAN)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Renewable Energy Asset Management (Solar/Wind/Hydro/Geothermal) (EUAEAMAB), Renewable Energy Infrastructure (FSAAAKAG), Energy Supplier Partner Networks / White-Label Brokerage Programs (EUAGAEAK)
Keywords
Where Etana Energy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cape Town
- HQ country
- South Africa
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices3 records
Markets served
Etana Energy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) Revenue: Etana Energy generates revenue by entering into long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with customers, under which Etana supplies renewable electricity at a flat tariff rate (R/kWh) that is competitive with standard Eskom or municipal electricity tariffs. The tariff is inflation-linked (CPI-adjusted) annually, providing long-term price certainty. Contract terms range from 5 to 20 years, with longer contracts offering lower tariffs. Revenue is recurring and based on electricity consumption volumes.
- Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) Supply: As part of the PPA offering, Etana provides Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to customers, proving that one MWh of electricity was generated from a renewable source. RECs are included in the flat tariff and enable customers to credibly claim renewable electricity consumption for sustainability reporting.
- Wheeling and Grid Access Revenue: Revenue is earned through electricity wheeling — the process of buying electricity generated by private power projects located elsewhere in the country and selling it to customers through existing transmission and distribution networks. Etana acts as the licensed trader managing the wheeling process, including settlement across municipal and national grids.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Flat-rate renewable electricity tariff with CPI-linked annual escalations, available across contract terms from 5 to 20 years. Longer contracts offer lower tariffs and higher savings. |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Up to 70% renewable electricity coverage achievable through blended wind and solar portfolio, delivering savings from Day 1. |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
Etana Energy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Etana Energy is a NERSA-licensed electricity trader that aggregates renewable electricity from multiple generation sources (wind, solar, hydroelectric) and wheels it to large business customers across South Africa's national (Eskom) and selected municipal electricity grids. The company sells renewable supply via long-term Power Purchase Agreements (5–20 years) under a Share-of-Portfolio subscription model, bundling Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and offering pooled wheeling across multiple customer sites.
Product overview
Etana Energy operates as a NERSA-licensed electricity trader offering a unified renewable energy trading platform for large power users in South Africa. The platform enables businesses to access renewable electricity through wheeling across the national and municipal electricity grids, combining generation from wind, solar, and hydroelectric sources. The core offering includes the Share of Portfolio subscription model, Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) bundled with electricity supply, and flexible power purchase agreements spanning 5-20 years. Generation supply includes the operational Boston Hydroelectric Plant (5MW), Du Plessis Dam Solar PV2 (75MW AC) under construction, Zen and Bergrivier Wind Farms (190MW combined) under construction, and Orkney Solar Project (150MW AC) under development. The company supports customers with forward price certainty through CPI-linked pricing and offers pooled wheeling capabilities for multi-property energy allocation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Renewable Electricity Wheeling Core NERSA-licensed electricity trading service that enables large businesses in South Africa to source renewable electricity from wind, solar and hydroelectric generation projects and have it delivered to their sites through the national and municipal electricity grids via wheeling arrangements.
- Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) Official certificates proving that one megawatt-hour of electricity was generated from a renewable source, supplied to customers as part of Etana's offering to support credible low-carbon electricity consumption and Scope 2 sustainability reporting.
- Share of Portfolio Subscription Model Subscription model where customers subscribe to a share of Etana's diversified renewable generation portfolio, providing access to renewable electricity without capital outlay or balance sheet consolidation; customers pay only for the electricity used under 5–20 year contracts with CPI-linked annual escalations.
- Pooled Renewable Electricity Wheeling First-of-its-kind pooled wheeling service in South Africa that dynamically allocates renewable electricity from one or more remote generation sites across a portfolio of customer sites on a municipal grid, simplifying settlement and enabling more flexible, scalable allocation than site-by-site wheeling.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 70% renewable electricity coverage achievable through blended wind and solar portfolio
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Etana Energy
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Etana Energy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature4 records
Etana Energy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- ACCIONA EnergíacoreACCIONA Energía is a global renewables group and the majority owner (51%) and developer of the Zen (100MW) and Bergrivier (94MW) wind farms in the Western Cape. Etana Energy will purchase all renewable electricity generated from these wind farms for the first 20 years of operation under a 20-year agreement, supplying approximately 580GWh annually to Etana's customers. Financial close was achieved on 12 December 2025, with commissioning scheduled for mid-2027.
- Mulilo Renewable EnergycoreMulilo Renewable Energy is a leading South African renewable energy developer and Etana's primary solar project partner. The partnership has produced two major project financial closes within 12 months: the 75MW Du Plessis Dam Solar PV2 (March 2025) and the 219MWdc Orkney Solar Project (February 2026). Etana acts as the sole off-taker under long-term PPAs for both projects. Mulilo's 1GW-per-year generation capacity growth strategy is supported by these partnerships.
- Serengeti EnergycoreSerengeti Energy is an African renewable independent power producer specialising in hydropower development, construction, and operation. It developed, constructed, and operates the 5MW Boston Hydroelectric Plant within the Lesotho Highlands Water Scheme. Etana Energy acts as the exclusive offtaker and licensed trader for the plant's ~30GWh annual output, which supplies Growthpoint Properties through Etana's trading platform. Growthpoint holds a 30% stake in the plant.
- City of Cape TowncoreThe City of Cape Town is a key government partner in implementing South Africa's first pooled renewable electricity wheeling model. Building on the City's first renewable wheeling pilot launched with Growthpoint and Etana in 2023, the pooled wheeling model enables renewable electricity from Eskom-connected generators to be allocated across a pool of Growthpoint buildings connected to the City's municipal grid. Alderman Xanthea Limberg, the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, has championed the initiative as part of Cape Town's Energy Strategy.
- Growthpoint PropertiescoreGrowthpoint Properties is a JSE-listed REIT and Etana's largest customer, with a 195GWh/year PPA. Growthpoint has invested over R1 billion in solar energy and acquired a 30% stake in the Boston Hydroelectric Plant. The companies co-developed South Africa's first pooled wheeling model with the City of Cape Town, supplying five Growthpoint buildings with renewable electricity from the Boston Hydroelectric Plant, with plans to expand to 30+ properties. Growthpoint also holds a 30% stake in Boston Hydro, developed by Serengeti Energy.
- ArupsupportingArup was part of the funding, legal and advisory consortium for the Orkney Solar Project, providing advisory services alongside Absa Bank, Standard Bank, Fasken, PepperTree Capital, and ENS Africa.
- ENS AfricasupportingENS Africa served as legal advisor within the consortium that financed the Orkney Solar Project, alongside Absa Bank, Standard Bank, Fasken, Arup, and PepperTree Capital.
- FaskensupportingFasken served as legal advisor within the consortium that financed the Orkney Solar Project, alongside Absa Bank, Standard Bank, Arup, PepperTree Capital, and ENS Africa.
- Eskom Distribution Western CapesupportingEskom Distribution Western Cape played a pivotal collaborative role in enabling the pooled wheeling arrangement between Etana Energy, Growthpoint, and the City of Cape Town, facilitating the technical connection between Eskom-connected generators and the municipal grid.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Etana Energy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Serengeti Energy: African hydropower IPP that developed and operates Boston Hydroelectric Plant — Etana's first operational generation asset. Serengeti's role as Etana's exclusive hydro offtaker creates direct operational alignment in South African renewable energy trading.
- Pele Energy Group: South African energy solutions company offering wheeling, trading, and renewable energy advisory services. Closely comparable to Etana as another licensed electricity trader operating in South Africa's nascent wheeling market.
- Mulilo Renewable Energy: Leading South African solar and wind developer and Etana's primary solar co-development partner. Mulilo co-developed both Du Plessis Dam Solar PV2 and Orkney Solar with Etana acting as sole off-taker, making it both a partner and a directly comparable South African renewable IPP aggregator.
- BioTherm Energy: South African wind and solar developer with operational utility-scale projects and corporate PPAs. Directly comparable as a domestic renewable energy player serving enterprise customers with long-tenor offtake agreements.
- Red Rocket South Africa: South African wind and solar developer operating utility-scale projects and PPAs with industrial customers. Comparable as a domestic renewable IPP aggregator serving large power users, though focused on direct generation rather than Etana's trading-focused model.
- Chariot Limited: British transitional energy group (LSE AIM: CHAR) and Etana's majority shareholder holding a 34% economic interest. Chariot co-invests in Etana's wind generation assets and operates across African transitional energy markets, making it a closely aligned platform peer.
Emerging players
- SolarCapital: South African solar developer and IPP active in C&I and utility-scale solar projects. Comparable as a smaller, more narrowly-focused domestic renewable player operating in adjacent segments of the South African energy transition.
Broad incumbents
- Globeleq: Pan-African renewable IPP backed by British International Investment (BII) and Norfund — both of whom also back Etana. Operates utility-scale wind and solar generation across multiple African countries, providing a broader incumbent benchmark for African renewable energy aggregation.
- Energy Partners / ENGIE Africa: South African energy solutions arm of global utility ENGIE offering renewable PPAs, wheeling, and integrated energy services to commercial and industrial customers. Represents the global-incumbent competitor in South Africa's C&I renewable supply market.
- EDF Renewables South Africa: Subsidiary of global utility EDF developing renewable projects across South Africa. Represents a global-incumbent counterpart with comparable wind/solar portfolio ambitions in the same geography.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Etana Energy social profiles
Digital presenceEtana Energy compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Etana Energy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Etana Energy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Etana Energy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Etana Energy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Etana Energy
What does Etana Energy do?
Etana Energy is a NERSA-licensed electricity trader that aggregates renewable electricity from multiple generation sources (wind, solar, hydroelectric) and wheels it to large business customers across South Africa's national (Eskom) and selected municipal electricity grids. The company sells renewable supply via long-term Power Purchase Agreements (5–20 years) under a Share-of-Portfolio subscription model, bundling Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and offering pooled wheeling across multiple customer sites.
Is Etana Energy a public or private company?
Etana Energy is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Etana Energy founded?
Etana Energy was founded in 2021. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Etana Energy based?
Etana Energy is headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa, in the Africa region.
How does Etana Energy make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) Revenue is the primary driver. The others are renewable Energy Certificate (REC) Supply and wheeling and Grid Access Revenue.
Who are Etana Energy's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Serengeti Energy, Pele Energy Group, Mulilo Renewable Energy, BioTherm Energy, Red Rocket South Africa and Chariot Limited. SolarCapital is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Globeleq, Energy Partners / ENGIE Africa and EDF Renewables South Africa.
Does Etana Energy have an API?
No public API is recorded for Etana Energy.
What industry is Etana Energy in?
Etana Energy's product category is Renewable Electricity Trading and Wheeling. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAMAMAN, Trading Platforms, ETRM/CTRM & Market Connectivity (APIs, Messaging, Integrations), with a secondary code of EUAEAMAB, Renewable Energy Asset Management (Solar/Wind/Hydro/Geothermal). Its NAICS code is 221115 and its SIC code is 4911.