- Distributed Power Africa built solar plant for data center
- DPA supplying Tesla batteries to help Africa business
By Loni Prinsloo
BLOOMBERG – Liquid Telecommunications Ltd., the biggest fiber-network company in Africa, has added a solar plant at its East Africa data center to cut operating costs.
The power generator was built by Distributed Power Africa, which is also part of the Econet Global Ltd. group controlled by Zimbabwean businessman Strive Masiyiwa.
The installment will reduce expenditure by about a third, DPA Chief Executive Officer Norman Moyo said in an interview, and help to reduce Liquid’s carbon footprint.
In sub-Saharan Africa, “businesses are increasingly interested in affordable and reliable energy,” said Moyo.
“We also believe energy to be a fundamental pillar in supporting Africa’s economic development.”
Many parts of Africa struggle with reliable electricity supply, prompting energy-intensive businesses such as data-center operators to seek alternative sources. DPA also offers batteries made by Tesla Inc., and uses one itself to power the head office in Zimbabwe