RMB partners with black-owned renewable energy firm Pele Green Energy

Clean energy is not only an important and growing sector of the SA economy, but one that is fertile for the entry of black-owned businesses. The government’s renewable energy independent power producer procurement (REIPPP) programme requires the economic participation of BEE investors and community trusts. But when it launched in 2011, black entrepreneurs entered the programme without an established track record in the nascent clean energy sector, and with limited capital.  

Historically, black-owned businesses have partnered with international independent power producers (IPPs) and local development finance institutions to finance their participation in the energy projects. These partnerships have resulted in worthwhile gains, but there is still opportunity for investors to refine their focus on the entrepreneurs themselves. 

Black-owned businesses need to grow their own dividend streams to channel greater profit share towards business growth. With this trend in mind, RMB has placed itself strategically to fund and refinance BEE businesses in the renewable energy sector, with exciting results. 

Pele Green Energy, a 100% black-owned IPP that develops, owns, procures and manages c.900MW of renewable energy projects, is a case in point. In round one of the REIPPP programme, Pele was able to structure a deal with an independent power producer, secure equity finance from the international technology provider, and gain entry into the sector. This was a considerable feat, as many commercial banks shied away from structuring equity financing facilities around deals in which BEE shareholders had neither the capital nor proven historical performance of similar assets.

True to its BEE strategy, RMB partnered with Pele in the Touwsrivier CPV solar power project, in which Pele owns a 55% stake and performs the asset management functions. RMB was able to apply its infrastructure finance, BEE finance, and renewable energy expertise to create the right funding solution for Pele to refinance its equity loan.

Senior project developer and transaction co-ordinator Adhila Mayet said the funding solution provided by RMB enabled Pele to unlock further value in the project, and positioned them well to ultimately increase their ownership in the project.

“We chose to partner with RMB on this project because of their partner-based approach and ability to navigate complex transactions,” she said. RMB acted as the sole arranger, structurer and funder for the transaction. 

Since the start of operations, 1.6% of the revenues from the CPV1 solar power plant has been deployed for economic development spend in the surrounding community. Pele has assumed an important role in managing this spend through its sister company, Knowledge Pele, which spearheads the community development and social infrastructure investment activities of the group. 

Pele’s demonstrated capabilities across all aspects of managing the Touwsrivier CPV solar farm project, coupled with the track record it has built through its c.900MW portfolio, make it an ideal candidate for RMB to support in upcoming rounds of the REIPPP and other clean energy programmes.  

“Our long-term partnership with Pele Green Energy is part of a wider strategy to provide relevant and sustainable support to black-owned renewable energy companies. We understand the unique challenges businesses face, and the national imperative to support the creation of black industrialists, who own, manage and direct enterprises that have the power to create broad-based economic opportunities and positively impact surrounding communities,” says Siyanda Mflathelwa, senior transactor for infrastructure finance at RMB. 

Not only does clean energy stimulate growth in the SA economy through significant spend directed to local contractors and local suppliers, it is also one of the key levers for SA’s contribution towards the UN’s sustainable development goals.  

This article was paid for by Rand Merchant Bank.