South Africa’s businesses dodge power cuts by investing in renewables

South Africa’s businesses dodge power cuts by investing in renewables

Another punishing round of power cuts has pushed many South Africans to seek alternatives, spurring businesses and entire towns to adopt wind, solar and other forms of electricity generation.

The country's largest retail chain Shoprite Checkers says it now has 1,200 megawatts of solar electricity installed on rooftops – enough to power a small town.

“So far, we've installed solar photovoltaic panels on 19 sites in South Africa and Namibia,” says Sanjeev Raghubir, sustainability manager for the Shoprite Group.



The quest for alternative sources of energy is taking place as South Africa's state-owned utility company Eskom countinues to struggle. In March, chief executive