Cast your net wider, FINWEEK

FINWEEK (English) Page 42

It may be early days to tell. But South Africa's unfolding renewable-energy industry could help create the much needed black industrialists. However, local entrepreneurs would have to cast their net wider than just seeking tenders in Government's Independent Power Producer (IPP) programme. “This is a unique opportunity for black entrepreneurs. Because it's a new industry in SA, nobody has more or less experience than anybody else. Entrepreneurs just need to look at the entire value chain to get involved,” says Ajay Lalu, whose company, Black Lite Energy, is aiming to build a R2bn CIGS thin film solar plant in East London's industrial development zone. Lalu, a prominent BEE commentator and sustainable development consultant, has spent the better part of the last two years studying the solar technology landscape in countries such as Taiwan, Germany and China.

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