Blue Energy Africa installs solar hybrid system for Naboom Plastic in South Africa

Clean energy solutions developer Blue Energy Africa has developed a 435kW hybrid solar-battery system for Naboom Plastic, a planting bag manufacturer in Mookgophong, Limpopo. The system increases energy security and operational resilience by reducing grid electricity consumption by 80% to 90%.

Thanks to this system, Naboom Plastic has started to make up for the 60-tonne production backlog caused by power outages, bringing tangible benefits to 64 of the company’s employees and their families.

Power cuts have hit Naboom Plastic hard in recent years, reducing staff working hours and causing production waste, explains co-founder Koos Lancaster. “The power cuts reduced our production time to 14 hours. We had to reorganise staff shifts around the power cuts, with some starting as early as 3am. That hit us hard,” he says.

“We experienced power supply issues during power outages, as well as additional disruptions from the local municipality. The new hybrid solar system has played a key role in reducing our production backlog. We can now fulfill orders more quickly, which has a positive impact on our finances.”

The system installed at Naboom Plastic includes an 858 kWh battery and produces 750,000 kWh of energy per year.

Blue Energy Africa CEO Marcel Steinberg notes: “Our project at Naboom Plastic demonstrates how resilient renewable energy systems can support sustainable development and economic growth in communities.”

The project was financed by Renewables Real Estate Investment Trust, an investment fund owned by Gaia Fund Managers, which specializes in infrastructure assets.

Gaia CIO and CEO Dr. Hendrik Snyman adds: “This project shows that investors can generate profits with purpose, positively impacting both the environment and people’s lives.”

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