Switzerland-based oil company Puma Energy has acquired a 49% stake in MBHE Group, a renewable energy solutions provider in South Africa, for an undisclosed amount.

MBHE Group owns and operates renewable energy assets across the African continent.

The deal aligns with Puma's mission to energise communities and support industrial and commercial customers in their transition to fully integrated renewable energy solutions.

MBHE Group specialises in the design, supply, installation and operation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and battery technology for sectors including retail centres, manufacturing, hospitals, heavy industry and mining.

The partnership of Puma Energy and MBHE Group presents significant growth opportunities in southern Africa, particularly in the installation of solar PV systems, battery energy storage solutions and off-grid solar PV plants.

The collaboration will enable Puma to secure power purchase agreements and develop projects that benefit from them.

Puma Energy aims to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy in southern Africa through the partnership.

Puma Energy Africa solar head Shamsher Singh stated: “Puma Energy is committed to its purpose of energising communities and helping our customers and partners to reduce their carbon emissions and prepare for the future of energy.

“Our partnership with MBHE will help realise that vision across southern Africa. Many of Puma Energy’s industrial and commercial customers are seeking renewable energy solutions and MBHE already has an impressive pipeline of projects which will drive growth over the next few years.”

MBHE financial director Werner van Wyk stated: “The partnership between Puma Energy and MBHE enables us to maintain our aggressive growth strategy, offering energy as a service.

“The unique differentiator is not only being able to provide holistic solar and energy storage solutions with strong technical and financial support but also accessing a much larger market through Puma’s existing footprint and network of commercial and industrial clients into sub-Saharan Africa.”