GHANA – Ecoligo, a German solar utility that provides low-cost solar energy to local businesses in emerging markets, has announced the acquisition of the solar power projects for commercial and industrial customers (C&I) of Namene Solar West Africa.

The company remains a wholly owned subsidiary of the Namene Group.

There is movement around the commercial and industrial (C&I) solar power providers in West Africa. German company Ecoligo is acquiring the C&I division of Namene Solar West Africa, the subsidiary of the Namene Group.

The Accra (Ghana) based company is selling its assets in West Africa at a time when the demand for solar energy from companies is increasing.

This cheaper, easy-to-install and easy-to-operate renewable energy allows companies to reduce their electricity bills while supporting their sustainability strategy. Namene has, for example, installed a 400 kWp solar PV system at the Central University in Ghana’s capital Accra.

“Namene Solar will focus its activities in West Africa on developing its global solar lamp business,” said the Jason Wallis-led company.

“This division is growing rapidly, with leading NGOs (non-governmental organisations) and high-volume corporate buyers, as well as an innovative climate finance programme. Namene Solar West Africa will remain part of the Namene Group, focusing on its lighting business.”

The two parties gave few details of the deal, including the financial details. But Ecoligo sees the acquisition of Namene Solar West Africa’s C&I division as part of its development strategy.

The Berlin-based company is preparing to enter several markets in Africa. The company, headed by Martin Baart, has an installed capacity of 43.93 MWp (including 3.7 MWp in Ghana), supplying solar energy to 100 companies.

The company continues to expand its project portfolio in West Africa. In Ghana, for example, Ecoligo plans to build a 336 kWp solar PV system for the residential area of employees at a gold mine operated by the South African company AngloGold Ashanti in the south of the country.

The Iduapriem mine employs about 1,500 people.