12.07.07
Sir Bob Geldof gives the green light to renewable electricity
Helius Energy Africa (Pty) Ltd, a subsidiary of AIM listed Helius Energy Plc, welcomes intrepid singer/songwriter and activist Sir Bob Geldof as special adviser to the company, a move which will see him lending his weight to the company’s projects on the African continent.
It has been reported that by 2050, biomass could provide as much as 50% of the world’s primary energy needs. And the next decade will see the development of improved biomass energy conversion systems. It is on this foundation that Helius was established.
The company will install and operate both large 50-65MWe and small modular 5MWe biomass-powered electricity generation plants designed to meet the growing need for reliable power and support the essential move away from fossil fuels both for economic and environmental reasons, whilst taking advantage of renewable energy legislation developed to combat climate change.
Geldof, a founder and ongoing member of Band Aid, Live 8, DATA and the Commission for Africa, brings to the company 20 years of expertise in development issues in Africa. This will be vital to Helius’ planned roll-out across the region.
Commenting on his involvement, Geldof said, “Power through renewable energies is, and will be, a major tool for developing countries particularly for the rural population.”
Helius will initially focus on the UK and Southern Africa, where it plans to install and operate a range of energy plants supplied by leading international suppliers of renewable and environmentally sustainable power generation.
This is good news for South Africa where recent, and anticipated ongoing, electricity shortages have demonstrated that the current power output is close to installed capacity. Helius is pursuing opportunities to develop its 50MWe biomass power plants and its modular GreenSwitch™ 5MWe plants in the country.
Dr Mohammed Jahed of Helius Energy Africa, comments, “The commitment to a greener, cleaner energy solution is one that is being made globally by Governments and business alike. This along with the existing climate offers an ideal opportunity for the introduction of ‘Green Electricity’ into the Southern African market.”
Helius is currently in discussions with Eskom proposing to become a significant Independent Power Provider with special emphasis on renewables. Additionally, Helius has been approached to join the Power Commissions Working Party in Zambia and is in discussion with the Government of Zambia for the establishment of new power plants, and the upgrading of existing facilities. The company is also in discussion with the Government of the Kingdom of Swaziland for a power supply agreement.
These projects will go a long way to securing electricity in Southern Africa, which is facing an ever-growing energy crisis.
Dr Jahed of Helius Energy Africa concludes, “We believe that with the involvement of Sir Bob Geldof we will raise the bar and ultimately awareness of the current energy crisis facing Africa and the solution offered by Helius to take advantage of the exciting opportunities to develop biomass as a sustainable source of renewable power.”
