Vivo Energy goes solar at retail sites

Vivo Energy has taken bold but necessary steps to install solar power systems at its retail sites to offset the escalating cost of electricity. This is as electricity costs in Namibia have skyrocketed by 350% over the last decade, thereby putting the national grid under enormous pressure. One of the reasons for this escalation is that Namibia still imports most of its electricity needs, resulting in some of the highest electricity costs in southern Africa for commercial and large-scale businesses.

The organization has moved to address cost concerns by adopting Shell’s aim to protect the environment and reduce the carbon intensity of its service stations by half by 2030, compared to 2016 levels. Vivo Energy Namibia is the marketer and distributor of Shell-branded fuels and lubricants and operates a network of over 74 service stations that operate 24 hours a day.

“The company is implementing this through several short-term, mid-term, and long-term initiatives. One of these is the installation of solar power systems at retail sites,” said Lazarus Nafidi, Communications Manager at Vivo Energy Namibia.

“The electricity demand of these service stations competes with retail shops, car washes, and service bays, which forms a large part of the monthly utility bill. Additionally, the power supply is unreliable, especially in smaller towns where several service stations keep generators as a backup,” he added.

With an average of 2,200 kWh/m² over large parts of the country, Namibia has the second-highest level of solar irradiation in the world. This, coupled with the fact that Namibia has net metering, makes a compelling case for Vivo Energy Namibia to invest in Solar PV systems at Shell Retail outlets.

Following a successful trial at Lafrenz and Mariental’s Fish River Truckport Shell service stations, Vivo Energy Namibia commissioned an initiative to roll out solar power, driven by the objective to lower energy consumption costs for retail operations. The company has to date converted 16 sites that are now operational on solar.

The sites operate a hybrid system, utilizing solar during the day supplemented by the grid, and then grid power at night. Through these installations, the retailers save money, with a consistent 7% saving at each site.