Latest news with #Mulilo
TimesLIVE
25-06-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Ramokgopa refutes 'conflict of interest' claims in Oberholzer scoring R9.5bn battery storage tender
Electricity and energy minister Kgosientso Ramokgopa has strongly rejected allegations of any wrongdoing in Eskom's decision to give a R9.5bn energy tender to a company chaired by one of its former COOs, Jan Oberholzer. Ramokgopa told MPs on Wednesday there was 'no substantial evidence' to back up allegations of 'conflict of interests' between Eskom and Oberholzer's Mulilo Energy scoring a R9.5bn battery-storage tender, as part of the utility's renewable energy programmes. Ramokgopa was responding to oral questions from MPs in the National Assembly on Wednesday during the appearance of cabinet ministers in the economic cluster. MK Party MP Sipho Mbatha, who had put the question to Ramokgopa, had made the allegation of a conflict of interest in the deal between Eskom and Mulilo Energy. The business transaction has also been slammed by other parties such the EFF, the Black Business Council, and trade unions such the NUM. But Ramokgopa stuck to his guns, telling lawmakers that no evidence of a conflict of interest or any form of wrongdoing had been found during Eskom's due diligence on the Mulilo transaction. 'Mulilo did comply with the requirement of public disclosure. They made it known to the independent procurement office that its chairperson is a former COO of Eskom. 'And in that regard the IPP office then initiated a process where we sought legal advice from an independent assessor and a determination was made that there was no conflict [of] interest and therefore the process can unfold as determined, and that's how that process then culminated in us issuing the preferred bidder status,' Ramokgopa explained.
Bloomberg
16-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
The Private Equity Bet Transforming South Africa's Energy Market
Just two years after winning the backing of one of the world's biggest green infrastructure investors, a little-known South African company is rapidly redrawing the country's energy map. Mulilo Renewable Energy Ltd., which got a $200 million investment from Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners in 2023, has since won more utility-scale battery projects in South Africa than any other rival, despite a growing number of competitive entries. The capital injection from CIP, a private equity manager based in Denmark, is helping Mulilo rapidly challenge the dominance of state-owned monopoly Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd.
IOL News
05-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Mulilo dodges questions over R9. 5 billion battery tender linked to ex-Eskom COO
Both the BBC and NUM raised concerns that Mulilo, chaired by Jan Oberholzer, former Eskom Chief Operating Officer, may have had an unfair advantage. Image: File picture Mulilo Energy, the company recently awarded a multi-billion-rand battery storage contract under South Africa's Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme, has dodged IOL's questions regarding concerns over the bidding process. IOL previously reported that the contract, which forms part of the government's efforts to enhance the country's energy security through battery storage, sparked criticism from the Black Business Council (BBC), the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), and political parties. Both the BBC and NUM raised concerns that Mulilo, chaired by Jan Oberholzer, former Eskom Chief Operating Officer, may have had an unfair advantage. Oberholzer served as Eskom's COO from 2018 until July 2023, a period marked by challenges for the utility, including financial difficulties and worsening load-shedding. "Oberholzer's company had an unfair advantage as he had access to privileged information about Eskom's requirements that other bidders did not have (as an insider)," BBC CEO Kganki Matabane said. Meanwhile, the NUM described the situation as 'a clear case of a revolving door—where an individual transitions from a position of immense public influence at a state-owned entity to a private company that benefits directly from policies and initiatives he once championed.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading What we asked How do you respond to the BBC's claim that Mr. Oberholzer's former Eskom role gave Mulilo an unfair advantage? The NUM says this looks like a 'revolving door' between Eskom and private companies. What is your response? The MK Party has asked for transparency regarding the bidding process. Could you please share how Mulilo ensured fairness and openness? What due diligence did Mulilo perform on its leadership and potential conflicts of interest before bidding for this government contract? What Mulilo answered Mulilo emphasised that the contract was awarded through a government-led process and directed all procurement-related inquiries to the Independent Power Producer Office (IPPO) and the Department of Electricity and Energy for comment. "We note the media interest following the announcement that Mulilo has been awarded preferred bidder status for four projects under the Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (BESSIPPPP). "As this was a Government-led process, we encourage that all procurement-related enquiries should be forwarded to the Independent Power Producer Office (IPPO) and the Department of Electricity and Energy for comment. "As a South African company deeply committed to our country's energy transition, Mulilo remains focused on delivering solutions that support energy security, create socio-economic value, and accelerate the shift to a sustainable, low-carbon future." Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has reportedly defended the awarding of the tender to Mulilo, saying the process was subjected to 'rigorous legal, technical, and financial due diligence, consistent with national legislation and the prescripts of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, including the objectives of ensuring that public procurement fosters inclusive growth for previously marginalised communities, including women and youth,' the department said, according to Moneyweb. IOL
Eyewitness News
04-06-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Former Eskom executive's company scores multibillion-rand clean energy tender
Former Eskom operations chief Jan Oberholzer was appointed as the chairperson of renewable energy company Mulilo in 2023, two month after he left the state-owned enterprise. Mulilo is dominating in the renewable space and has been awarded four of five government battery storage projects worth billions. Some politicians have called for this tender to be reviewed claiming that Oberholzer may have given the company an unfair advantage. However, Cruise says these tenders were awarded through a fair and open process. RELATED: COP28: SA pioneered plans to transition to renewable energy – what went wrong
eNCA
02-06-2025
- Business
- eNCA
Government awards battery storage contracts
JOHANNESBURG - The government has announced two companies, Mulilo and Scatec, as preferred bidders for battery storage projects in the Free State, worth R9.5-billion. READ: Eskom lightens the solar load The program aims to store power and provide reserves to the grid. But some have raised concerns about fairness in awarding the contracts. Black Business Council President Elias Monage discussed the contract with eNCA.
