What's Happening?

Facebook Twitter Youtube Linkedin

NEED HELP? QUESTIONS@FIA.ORG.ZA

become A FIA member TODAY
member login

Old Mutual Alternative Investments substantial investment in the country’s energy infrastructure

ARTICLE BY

  • Mujaahid Hassan
  • Co-Head of Hybrid Equity
  • Old Mutual Alternative Investments

SHARE THIS POST

In a significant boost to South Africa’s renewable energy sector, Old Mutual Alternative Investments (OMAI) today announced a substantial investment in the country’s energy infrastructure today of approximately R158 million through its Hybrid Equity division.

This deal comes hot off the heels of the world’s largest congress on climate change, COP28, where African leaders emphasised the need for significantly increased climate action and green growth financing across the continent.

Mujaahid Hassan, Co-Head of Hybrid Equity at OMAI, said, “Our investment in the Hydra Storage Project is a testament to our commitment to fostering sustainable energy solutions in South Africa. This project addresses the immediate challenges of load shedding and aligns with our nation’s climate change objectives.”

Old Mutual Hybrid Equity has committed preference share funding to Hydra HoldCo, enabling the acquisition of a 35% equity stake in the TotalEnergies Hydra Storage Project. The Hydra Storage Project, a hybrid 216 MWp solar photovoltaic (PV) facility with 497 MWh Battery Energy Storage (BESS), promises substantial social and economic benefits, including increased dispatchable renewable power generation, job creation, and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

The Project comprises three co-located sites in the Northern Cape that will have a contracted capacity of 75 MW at the delivery point from which energy is dispatched to the national transmission grid.

“The project is on track for construction to begin this side of the year,” said Hassan.

“This venture marks a significant milestone in South Africa’s journey towards sustainable energy,” said Christopher Aberdein, Director of Hydra HoldCo. “The Hydra Storage Project represents more than an investment; it’s a leap forward in our country’s energy independence and sustainability.”

OMAI, a key player in the investment landscape, has driven innovative and impactful solutions across various sectors. With this latest venture, OMAI reiterates its commitment to advancing South Africa’s renewable energy capabilities.

The sponsor’s first bid on the RMIPPPP was issued by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy on 24 August 2020. The Project was granted Preferred Bidder status on 18 March 2021 and reached Financial Close in December 2023. The RMIPPPP was designed to alleviate supply constraints by procuring 2000 MW from a range of technologies that could be bid together to form one project.

Aberdein said OMAI’s investment in the project is not just a financial endorsement but a strong statement of support for South Africa’s renewable energy ambitions.

“As the country continues to navigate the challenges of load shedding and climate change, such strategic investments are crucial in shaping a sustainable and resilient energy future. We are proud to be part of the solution that will not only support our energy security but also show our commitment to economic development and growth in the country,” he concluded.

Subscriber Terms and Conditions

  1. APPLICATION OF TERMS
    • These terms and conditions (“Subscriber Terms”) apply to the subscription by any qualifying member of the South African Underwriting Managers Association NPC (“SAUMA”) to the services and benefits offered by FIA Services (Pty) Ltd (“FIA Services”) under the SAUMA affiliation arrangement (“Subscription”).

  2. NATURE OF SUBSCRIPTION
    • A Subscription under this arrangement:
      • does not constitute membership of FIA NPC;
      • does not confer any voting rights or governance participation in FIA NPC; and
      • is governed solely by the contractual relationship between the Subscriber and FIA Services.

  1. ELIGIBILITY
    • To qualify for the Subscription, the applicant must, at the time of application, be a current paid-up member of SAUMA.
    • FIA Services will verify the applicant’s SAUMA membership status with SAUMA prior to activation, and may re-verify such status periodically.
    • If a Subscriber ceases to be a paid-up member of SAUMA, the Subscription will correspondingly be terminated.
    • Applicants are required to authorise FIA Services to confirm their SAUMA membership status with SAUMA as part of the application process.

  1. SERVICES
    • The Subscription entitles the Subscriber to the following benefits:
      • Complimentary access to the FIA CPD Platform;
      • Complimentary access to the FIA Insight Magazine (digital edition);
      • Advertising opportunities on FIA platforms at a discounted rate of 15% (fifteen percent) off the prevailing published rates; and
      • Invitations to attend FIA Technical Webinars annually.
    • FIA Services reserves the right to update, vary or substitute the Services from time to time, provided that the overall value and nature of the benefits remain materially the same.

  1. FEES AND PAYMENT
    • The monthly subscription fee is R260.00 (two hundred and sixty rand) for up to seven registered individuals (Key Individuals and Representatives), and R36.00 (thirty-six rand) per additional registered individual thereafter, excluding VAT.
    • The Subscriber shall provide FIA Services with the required details of each individual to be registered under the Subscription for the purposes of activation and billing.
    • All fees are exclusive of VAT, which shall be charged at the prevailing statutory rate.
    • Subscription fees are reviewed annually in March and may be adjusted with effect from 1 April.
    • Any changes to the Subscription, including but not limited to the number of Representatives and Key Individuals registered under the Subscription, may only be effected once annually during the annual review period in March of each year, with such changes taking effect from 1 April.
    • Subscription fees shall be billed monthly in arrears, unless the Subscriber elects an annual billing cycle at the time of application.
    • The Subscriber shall ensure that all billing information (including contact details, authorised signatories and bank account details) is kept accurate and up to date.
    • Non-payment of subscription fees may result in suspension of access to the Services until such fees are brought up to date.
    • The Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that all subscription fees payable under these Subscriber Terms may be collected by way of debit order, which shall be processed by the holding company, FIA NPC (The Financial Intermediary Association of South Africa), on behalf of FIA Services. Payment to FIA NPC shall be deemed to constitute valid and sufficient discharge of the Subscriber’s payment obligations to FIA Services under these Subscriber Terms.

  1. ONBOARDING
    • Onboarding will be conducted as a Subscription with FIA Services under the SAUMA affiliation arrangement.
    • Onboarding will not confer FIA NPC membership status or any associated rights.
    • Onboarding is conditional on confirmation of the Subscriber’s current SAUMA membership at the time of application

  1. DATA PROTECTION
    • FIA Services will process all personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA) as set out in our POPIA policies.
    • By subscribing, the Subscriber authorises FIA Services to confirm their SAUMA membership status with SAUMA and to process personal information for the purposes of fulfilling the Subscription.

  1. TERMINATION
    • The Subscriber may terminate the Subscription by giving FIA Services one calendar month’s written notice.
    • FIA Services may terminate the Subscription on one calendar month’s written notice, or immediately if the Subscriber breaches these Subscriber Terms and fails to remedy such breach within 14 (fourteen) days of receiving written notice.
    • Termination of the SAUMA–FIA Services affiliation agreement shall not automatically terminate these Subscriber Terms.
    • Termination by the Subscriber shall not relieve the Subscriber of liability for any subscription fees accrued up to the effective date of termination.
    • FIA Services may suspend or terminate the Subscription with immediate effect in the event of non-payment of fees by the Subscriber.

  1. GENERAL
    • These Subscriber Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.
    • Any disputes arising under these Subscriber Terms shall be dealt with in accordance with the dispute resolution provisions contained in the FIA NPC membership terms and conditions, as modified to reflect that the contractual relationship is with FIA Services.
    • Any notices required under these Subscriber Terms may be validly delivered by email to the addresses provided in the Subscriber’s application form, and such notices shall be deemed received on the day of transmission if sent during business hours.
    • The Subscriber may not assign, cede or transfer any of its rights or obligations under these Subscriber Terms without the prior written consent of FIA Services.
    • No variation of these Subscriber Terms shall be of any force or effect unless reduced to writing and signed by both FIA Services and the Subscriber.