Africa Data Centres launches sustainable solar farm project in South Africa

Africa Data Centres, part of Cassava Technologies, has initiated the development of a solar farm in the Free State, South Africa, as part of a collaborative effort with DPA Southern Africa. This venture is in alignment with a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) signed with DPA Southern Africa, a joint entity of the French utility EDF, in March 2023. The solar farm aims to supply renewable energy to Africa Data Centres’ facilities, starting with its CPT1 data center in Cape Town.

Hardy Pemhiwa, President and Group CEO of Cassava Technologies, highlighted the project as a pioneering step towards addressing South Africa’s energy crisis with sustainable solutions, marking a significant move in the data centre industry towards environmentally friendly practices. Tesh Durvasula, CEO of Africa Data Centres, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to using renewable energy sources, starting with a 12MW solar infrastructure to power the Cape Town data centre, with plans to expand to Johannesburg locations.

Nawfal El Fadil, CEO of DPA SA, praised the initiative for aligning with the companies’ shared commitment to sustainability and carbon neutrality, emphasizing the importance of innovation and collaboration in achieving these goals. The project reflects Africa Data Centres’ ambition to become the continent’s most sustainable colocation provider, supported by its ISO50001 certification for energy management and a broader goal of achieving net-zero status across all facilities.