OREANDA-NEWS. April 05, 2012. Tata Power and Exxaro Resources today announced the successful launch of Cennergi, a new cleaner energy company which will serve the expanding energy markets in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana.

Tata Power, through its subsidiary Khopoli Investments, and Exxaro Resources (Exxaro) have formed a 50:50 joint venture to create a new energy company, Cennergi. Together, the partnership of Exxaro and Tata Power will ensure that Cennergi possesses the skill set, track record and experience to become a successful South African private power company.

Cennergi, based in South Africa, focuses on the investigation of feasibility, development, ownership, operation, maintenance, acquisition and management of electricity generation projects in South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. The initial project pipeline focuses on renewable energy projects in southern Africa, and Cennergi’s strategy is to create a balanced portfolio of generation assets.

Present on the occasion, Anil Sardana, managing director, Tata Power, said, “We are happy to launch this joint venture company with Exxaro in South Africa. Tata Power is India’s largest integrated power player and a leading renewable player. This milestone is consistent with our strategy of pursuing growth opportunities for energy development in potential markets. We look forward to working together with Exxaro to jointly develop efficient, high-quality and sustainable projects that will bring significant benefits to the region as well as local communities.”

Sipho Nkosi, CEO, Exxaro, says, “Our brand, Exxaro, is built on the belief that everything we do and deliver today will allow others to realise their vision tomorrow. This is one of the reasons why we have partnered with Tata Power, India’s largest private sector power utility, which is renowned for its visionary approaches and its exceptional track record of technology leadership in redefining the parameters of the Indian power sector. We see the creation of a company such as Cennergi as a crucial step in the evolution of power generation in South Africa and beyond.”

Thomas Garner, CEO, Cennergi, says, “As a southern African company, our intention is to become partners with Eskom and to actively contribute towards solving the energy challenges facing South Africa today,” he added, “with the Department of Energy’s commitment to renewable energy, Eskom’s drive to solving the country’s energy challenges, the desire of South Africa’s people and of our neighbours for access to electricity to power the development so urgently required on this continent, we have no doubt we will exceed our dreams.”

The launch took place at The Campus in Bryanston and was well attended by members of government, media, key stakeholders and local and international business leaders.