HyGen Group (Pty) Ltd was formed in 2013 to discover, design, construct and operate small scale hydroelectric power plants in the sub Sahara region within Africa. Converting water’s potential energy into electricity is one of many ways in ensuring that a renewable energy source is utilised to springboard economic growth and social development throughout the African continent. HyGen Group’s vision
is to be the foremost company for all aspects relating to hydroelectric power generation in both the private and public sector. To achieve this vision, one of its short term goals is to deliver
• a low operational cost solution;
• whilst maximising revenue; and
• minimising downtime. HyGen Group aims to do so by using the professional experience within the Group so as to tailor each individual project as far as possible to the customer’s needs, whether it is to become self-sufficient or to export the generated power to a utility for additional revenue. There are already many existing sites in Southern Africa alone where dams, weirs or steady flowing rivers are situated and which have the potential to viably generate hydroelectric power. By suitably developing these sites to generate electrical power, the customer and/or community, can reduce their reliance on the utility for their electrical supply. The net result is greater security and reliability of power supply to the respective customer and/or community. With the introduction of the Independent Power Producer (IPP) initiatives, private and public sectors are now encouraged to develop suitable sites, thus enabling them to generate and deliver power to the utilities. This symbiotic relationship results in the utilities benefitting from not having to raise additional capital for additional infrastructure, while the relevant sectors are able to generate a constant and reliable revenue stream through the sale of the generated power to the utilities. Within the public sector, this revenue stream could have far reaching positive consequences. Not only will additional jobs be created during the development of the sites, but permanent maintenance jobs will exist after the development. Furthermore, the additional revenue stream can assist with the funding of much needed infrastructure and the educational upliftment of the local community. Consequently, the local communities stand to benefit from an education, economic as well as social point of view. With HyGen Group’s all-round experience in hydroelectric power generation, we are able to offer a complete service, including:
• Feasibility assessment;
• Project management for the construction and development of the site;
• Managing and maintaining the hydroelectric plant, control and protection gear;
• Maintaining the relevant distribution and transmission lines; and
• Negotiating the best possible Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) on your behalf with the relevant power utility
Furthermore, HyGen Group is able to assist to raise the necessary capital required in the form of Joint Ventures, co-funding or attracting suitable investors for each project. Additionally, we offer consulting experience to the fast growing renewable energy industry, specifically, within the Sub Saharan region.
