STEWARDS OF THE SERENGETI
ST E WA R DS OF
THE SERENGETI
159 | Africa Outlook Issue 105
SERENGETI ENERGY ENERGY & UTILITIES
Serengeti Energy has harnessed the power to provide clean and affordable energy, contribute to environmental sustainability, and advance economic development. Chief Technical Officer, Brian Brooks, tells us more Writer: Ed Budds | Project Manager: Kyle Livingstone
T
oday, in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), energy demand is surging, and climate change concerns are intensifying daily. In this evolving framework, the role of independent power producers (IPPs) is one of great significance. As such, Serengeti Energy firmly believes that renewable energy holds the key to unlocking Africa’s potential for a sustainable and
prosperous future. “Our mission is to provide electricity through renewable energy resources in sub-Saharan Africa; we are developing, building, and operating small to medium-sized renewable energy power plants to help support sustainable economic growth in the region,” introduces Brian Brooks, Chief Technical Officerof Serengeti Energy. Africa Outlook Issue 105 | 160
SERENGETI ENERGY ENERGY & UTILITIES
AFRICA OUTLOOK: HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED AND INVOLVED IN THE ENERGY AND UTILITIES INDUSTRY? Brian Brooks, Chief Technical Officer: “I spent 20 years in the
“ W E C O N D U C T E N V I R O N M E N TA L A N D S O C I A L I M PAC T A S S E S S M E N T S TO I D E N T I F Y P OT E N T I A L C H A L L E N G E S A N D M I T I G AT E A N Y N E G AT I V E E F F E C T S O N LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND ECOSYSTEMS” – BRIAN BROOKS, CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER, SERENGETI ENERGY
manufacturing industry before becoming part of the renewable energy family. My manufacturing experience was in high-energy usage plants around the world before the real pressure started gathering to reduce noxious emissions and I started becoming concerned about the damage our industry was doing to the environment. “When the opportunity came to join the renewables space, I didn’t think twice about it. I started off working for a solar subsubcontractor as a construction manager and eventually joined a major EPC company responsible for the construction of projects across Africa over a period of five years before joining the IPP space in 2018. I then joined Serengeti Energy as Chief Technology Officer in September 2023.”
Across SSA, each country presents a unique energy landscape, driven by distinct policies, regulations, and market dynamics. “As a company, our success thus far can be attributed to a thorough understanding of local policy, identifying mutually impactful opportunities for the business and the country, and implementing the right technology mix to ensure the electricity supply is stable and sustainable,” he continues. Alongside this, the renewable energy landscape in Africa is growing as the demand for power continues. Serengeti Energy is playing its part by 161 | Africa Outlook Issue 105
investing, developing, constructing, and operating renewable energy power projects that contribute to bridging the energy deficit in SSA. The region is also vulnerable to climate change and extreme weather conditions, which in some cases cause heavy floods and landslides, impacting on the company’s power plants and the communities around it.
DEVELOPMENT AND COLLABORATION Collaboration with local stakeholders is a key step in Serengeti Energy’s development process. This involves partnering with government
Morocco Mali Abdelmoumen Manantali El Borg & Tanafnit Dchar el Oued Matmata
Algeria Mansouriah Darguinah
Tunisia Sidi Salem
Ethiopia Beles Gilgel Gibe
Egypt New Naga Hammadi Aswan Assiut Rwanda Rusumo Falls
Uganda Nyamwamba II Nkusi Owen Falls
Burkina Faso Bagre Guinea Garafiri
Tanzania Pangani Falls II
Cote d’Ivoire Ayame Taabo San Pedro
Togo Nangbeto Ghana Akosombo Kpong
Malawi Tedzani 1-3 Nkula Wovwe
Nigeria Kainji 11/12, 5/6 Shiroro Jebba Kashimbila
Gabon Kinguele
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Burundi Jiji Mulembwe
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Cameroon Edéa I-III Song Loulou
Democratic Republic of Congo Inga II Ruzizi I & II Mwadingusha Nzilo Zongo Bukavu Koni
Kenya Kindaruma North Mathioya Lower Nyamindi South Mara Chemosit
Zambia Kafue Gorge Kariba North Angola Lauca Luachimo II Cambambe Namibia Ruacana
Zimbabwe Kariba South South Africa Stortemelk Steenbras Drakenberg Vanderkloof
Lesotho Muela Mantsonyane I & II
up-to-date technological innovations tailored to meet their needs and requirements. It is our collaborative spirit that has resulted in many successfully operating power plants, be it of a few Megawatts or more than 1,000 MW – and customers winning awards for their plants.
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SERENGETI ENERGY ENERGY & UTILITIES
authorities, utilities, and the communities that its projects directly impact. Building trust, ensuring mutual benefit, respecting local values, and addressing its concerns are therefore critical for Serengeti Energy. “We conduct environmental and social impact assessments to identify potential challenges and mitigate any negative effects on local communities and ecosystems, in strict adherence to local and international regulations and best practices, while ensuring that the project is also viable for the company and its investors in the long term,” Brooks tells us. Project development also involves the entire journey from inception 163 | Africa Outlook Issue 105
to operation. It begins with a needs and opportunity assessment in the country that Serengeti Energy intends to develop a project, followed by meticulous site selection, guided by comprehensive resource assessments. “Next, our experienced development teams analyse the solar irradiation, wind patterns, hydrological data, and other variables, ensuring that our potential projects are strategically constructed in areas where renewable resources are rich, maximising energy generation efficiency,” he adds. In parallel, the company’s development team reaches out to potential offtakers and public
stakeholders to ensure the alignment of the project with its stakeholders’ needs and advance on power purchase agreements (PPAs) and permit discussions. Once a site is approved, detailed planning and engineering come into play. Serengeti Energy’s engineering and construction team, together with its environmental, social, and governance governance (ESG) teams, collaborate to design projects that are not just energy-efficient but also sustainable. “We integrate the latest advancements in solar array technology, water-to-wire equipment, and grid protection infrastructure, to optimise the performance and
reliability of our installations.” At Serengeti Energy, the company views investment in renewable energy and development not just as a process but as a commitment to a brighter tomorrow. Collaboration with reliable development finance institutions has provided crucial support, and the company also relies on the Serengeti Energy Technical Assistance Fund to de-risk projects in the development stage, to enable it to focus on making them more viable and attractive to local governments.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS Serengeti Energy is committed to a proactive ESG approach, focusing on minimising negative impacts and fostering positive outcomes. “Inclusivity is the cornerstone of our strategy; through stakeholder consultations, we cultivate strong community relationships. Gender inclusivity is also a top priority within our ESG mandate, driving our efforts to boost female representation across all organisational levels,” acclaims Brooks. “Our actions are guided by comprehensive policies addressing diversity, gender equality, and inclusion,” he continues. Furthermore, Serengeti Energy remains deeply committed to minimising the impact on its communities by engaging in meaningful consultations with all Project Affected Persons (PAPs)
MITIGATING RISK SERENGETI Energy has adopted a comprehensive approach to safety and risk management to safeguard its investments, manpower, and infrastructure to ensure the long-term profitability and sustainability of operations, and the wellbeing of its surrounding communities. MITIGATING risk is essential to ensure continuous electricity supply, compliance with agreements, financial sustainability, attracting investment, and most importantly, supporting the region’s socioeconomic development. Some of the measures the company has undertaken include: • Comprehensive environmental impact assessments during all stages, including development, construction, and operations to address potential environmental and ecological impacts, and implement safeguards accordingly. • Installation of early warning systems to notify the teams on site of potential flooding. Serengeti Energy has established open communication channels with local communities and authorities through its experienced Community Liaison Officers who help coordinate flood preparedness and response efforts, enhancing overall safety. • Construction of flood barriers to prevent floodwaters from reaching critical areas of the power plant and nearby settlements. • Landslide stabilisation measures, such as soil reinforcement and slope protection through building gabions to reduce the risk of landslides affecting the plant. • Installation of drainage and water diversion systems to channel floodwater and surface run-off away from sensitive areas. • Routine inspections of all infrastructure and equipment to identify potential vulnerabilities. • Comprehensive insurance coverage, which is important to protect against operational risks, such as equipment damage, natural disasters, and business interruption.
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“ O U R AC T I O N S A R E G U I D E D BY COMPREHENSIVE POLICIES ADDRESSING D I V E R S I T Y, G E N D E R E Q U A L I T Y, A N D INCLUSION” - BRIAN BROOKS, CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER, SERENGETI ENERGY
throughout project lifecycles. This dedication extends to the development and execution of livelihood restoration measures, effectively mitigating the project’s effects on their income. “Our Livelihood Restoration Programme (LRP) in Malawi has significantly benefited 120 Project Affected Households (PAH) engaged in agriculture. This initiative includes vocational training, transitional support, and the provision of agricultural inputs.” 165 | Africa Outlook Issue 105
Encouragingly, the LRP’s vocational training programme has seen a 71.3 percent success rate and, as such, several beneficiaries have transitioned into entrepreneurial endeavours, aided by start-up kits. Environmental stewardship is a core priority for Serengeti Energy, evident through the company’s rigorous management of environmental issues as well as being actively engaged in a conservation initiative, exemplified by its Uganda projects’ conservation
programme. Collaboratively designed with communities, this initiative emphasises soil protection, catchment conservation, and sustainable livelihoods. Giving back also remains integral to Serengeti Energy, and its CSR policy champions communitydriven projects, empowering local participation and ownership through inclusive community institutions. This impactful approach resonates across all the company’s ongoing CSR initiatives, underscoring its dedication to meaningful community impact.
CAPACITY BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE Capacity building is a key activity within Serengeti Energy and its Technical Assistance (TA) facility and aims to support the sustainable market development for renewable energy in Africa.
The TA fund at Serengeti Energy, which was established to address the shortcomings of the renewable energy generation market, aims to counter issues such as lack of experience from local developers and build capacity with local promoters and financial institutions to support renewable energy projects in underserved regions in SSA. As part of this mandate, the Serengeti Energy TA facility, and Private Financing Advisory Network (PFAN), a global network that facilitates investments in clean energy and climate adaptation projects, joined forces in 2022 to drive the Umoja Incubator project. “This was inspired by the shared vision to empower local entrepreneurs and accelerate the development of sustainable energy solutions in underserved communities,” qualifies Brooks. The Umoja Incubator programme is an initiative designed to identify, mentor, and support local aspiring developers in the renewable energy sector who have big ideas but lack the experience or financial capabilities to bring their projects to completion. Local developers submit their project proposals online for review by a panel of professional judges; thereafter, the
best proposals are shortlisted and invited to an in-person workshop to make their final pitches after which the winning renewable energy project is selected and announced. The winning projects enter a partnership with Serengeti Energy where they are taken through several commercial and technical training courses, and eventually receive funding. Elsewhere, regarding the future of the company, the priority for Serengeti Energy is to continue building small to medium-scale hydro and solar plants with a suitable proportion of battery storage, consistently from year to year. “In the short term, we will maximise the performance of our existing assets to generate revenue and balance sheet strength to support the growth of the business,” concludes Brooks enthusiastically.
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