Ngwenya Lodge: Powering the Wild with Solar

Set along the Crocodile River, with uninterrupted views into Kruger National Park, Ngwenya Lodge offers something rare: a front-row seat to the wild, without compromise.But behind the scenes, delivering that seamless experience wasn’t always easy.Frequent power outages, rising electricity costs, and heavy reliance on diesel generators made operations unpredictable and expensive. For a lodge built on tranquillity and connection to nature, the hum of generators and the risk of blackouts were constant disruptions.Ngwenya Lodge needed more than just power, a sustainable, long-term solution with certainty.

The Challenge Beneath the Surface

Operating in a remote location comes with inherent energy challenges.

Grid supply was inconsistent, with outages sometimes lasting days. Diesel generators filled the gaps, but at a cost - financially and environmentally. Fuel prices were volatile, logistics were complex, and the noise disrupted the very experience guests came for.

At the same time, the lodge's share block ownership structure - an ownership structure with multiple shareholders- created additional hurdles. Traditional financing options came with restrictive terms, making it difficult to fund a large-scale solar transition.

Ngwenya Lodge needed a solution that could deliver reliability, reduce costs, and work within their financial constraints.

The Solution: Solar + Storage, Structured Right

Ngwenya Lodge partnered with Candi Solar to implement a fully integrated hybrid solar and battery storage system, paired with a customised model for their business's specific needs.

Robust system design
A 994 kWp ground-mounted solar PV system, combined with a 1,367 kWh battery energy storage system (BESS), designed to handle the lodge’s energy demands while ensuring continuity during outages.

Energy independence
The hybrid system significantly reduced reliance on both grid electricity and diesel generators, enabling uninterrupted operations even in extended outages.

Smart financial structuring
Through Candi Solar’s Performance-Linked Instalment Sale (PLIS) model, Ngwenya Lodge unlocked access to South Africa’s Section 12B tax incentive, allowing accelerated depreciation and improving cash flows from day one.

Risk transferred, performance guaranteed
Candi manages system performance and maintenance end-to-end, ensuring the system delivers as expected without adding operational burden on the lodge.

What Changed for Ngwenya Lodge

Since commissioning, the impact has been immediate and measurable.

The lodge now operates with a stable, reliable energy supply, largely independent of grid disruptions. Diesel usage has dropped significantly, reducing both costs and environmental impact.

Richard Flamand, Country Lead at Candi Solar South Africa, explains:

“By integrating a hybrid solar and battery system, we’ve eliminated reliance on unstable grid power and drastically reduced diesel usage. This is not just an environmental win, it’s a strategic move that improves resilience and lowers operational risk.”

The transformation shows up clearly across operations:

● Reliable power: Uninterrupted energy supply, even during extended outages
● Lower energy costs: Immediate savings and long-term tariff stability
● Reduced diesel dependence: Significant drop in generator usage
● Improved guest experience: Silent operations that preserve the natural environment
● Stronger sustainability positioning: Reduced carbon footprint aligned with global travel expectations

Within weeks of commissioning, the system had already generated 64 MWh of solar energy, demonstrating strong performance from the outset.

As Bruce Lywood, Director at Innova Energy Solutions, explains:

“By switching to solar, Ngwenya Lodge achieves long-term savings, sustainability, and a seamless guest experience.”

A Blueprint for Sustainable Tourism

Ngwenya Lodge demonstrates what’s possible when the right technology meets the right financial model.

With Candi Solar, Ngwenya Lodge now runs on clean, reliable energy, quietly powering every guest experience.

Looking to future-proof your business with solar?

Talk to us today and discover how Candi Solar can structure a solution that works for you.

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