Open Access Energy (OAE), a pioneering South African software enterprise founded in 2021, has entered into a strategic alliance with PEC Utility Management. This collaboration is poised to provide OAE with a robust national metering infrastructure, streamlining accurate billing for energy transactions and reinforcing its wheeling services across South Africa.
The partnership signifies a leap forward for Open Access Energy’s ambition to optimise energy transactions for independent power producers (IPPs) and municipalities. The company’s flagship platforms, Amptera and Energypro, enable real-time energy trading and facilitate efficient energy management. With PEC’s established expertise and nationwide coverage, OAE stands to fortify its metering capabilities, ensuring precision and reliability for clients navigating South Africa’s intricate energy landscape.
This development also dovetails with the company’s mission to foster renewable energy adoption. By integrating PEC’s metering solutions, Open Access Energy bolsters its offering within its wheeling platform, a critical component designed to support clients navigating the transition to cleaner energy sources within Eskom’s grid and various municipal frameworks.
According to Gerjo Hoffman, CEO of Open Access Energy, this collaboration underscores the company’s commitment to transforming South Africa’s energy framework. “The partnership with PEC and EverSolar marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to make energy more reliable and affordable for all South Africans,” Hoffman remarked.
The announcement follows OAE’s recent US$750,000 capital infusion from Factor E Ventures, the first tranche of a US$1.5 million seed funding round aimed at scaling operations and technological development. The injection of capital will enable OAE to extend its reach while leveraging PEC’s infrastructure to deliver consistent and dependable metering services.
In an ancillary yet complementary move, PEC Utility Management has partnered with EverSolar, a preeminent provider of renewable energy solutions in South Africa. This collaboration allows PEC’s clients to integrate their metering data seamlessly via the Energypro platform, enhancing energy usage visibility. Such capabilities empower businesses and municipalities to make informed decisions on energy consumption, laying a foundation for a more sustainable future.
This triad of collaborations between Open Access Energy, PEC Utility Management, and EverSolar underscores a broader push to reimagine South Africa’s energy ecosystem. By addressing fundamental issues of reliability, transparency, and renewable energy adoption, the partnerships collectively signal a maturation in the country’s energy sector.
Hoffman expressed optimism about the synergies emerging from these initiatives, noting, “Our vision is to build an energy ecosystem where affordability and sustainability are accessible to all. These partnerships provide the infrastructure and expertise to make that vision a reality.”
While the South African energy market continues to grapple with the challenges of an aging grid and frequent disruptions, efforts such as this are laying the groundwork for a more resilient and adaptable energy infrastructure. Stakeholders across the spectrum—IPPs, municipalities, and consumers—stand to benefit from the enhanced transparency and operational efficiencies brought forth by such collaborations.
As Open Access Energy consolidates its position as a transformative force within the sector, its partnership with PEC Utility Management represents a pivotal step in achieving its overarching aim: to empower South African businesses and municipalities with cleaner, more cost-effective energy solutions.
