Straits Energy Holdings
We are pioneering a transformative approach to harnessing renewable resources for energy production
Fishwater Flats Biogas Plant
The project will bring approximately R600 million of investment into Gqeberha, the capital of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa
Research and Innovation
Showcasing ongoing research projects, technological innovations to ocean preservation.
Biogas is produced by anaerobic digestion of decomposable organic wastes
About Us
Straits Energy Holdings is an empowered renewable energy project developer with a focus on baseload and novel energy projects that utilise renewable and waste resources to produce energy and fuels. Predominantly focused on the coastal areas of South Africa, our focus has been on waste water treatment optimisation and energy integration as well as industrial waste heat recovery. Our projects currently targeting reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by over 50 000 tons CO2 equivalent per year.
Projects
The flagship project for SEH is the Fishwater Flats Biogas Plant. Biogas is produced by anaerobic digestion of decomposable organic wastes. This project is housed in the wholly owned subsidiary, Straits Group SA (Pty) Ltd (SGSA). The project will bring approximately R600 million of investment into Gqeberha, the capital of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is a partner in the project and provides a short term part offtake for electricity generated by biogas produced on site. The site is fully licensed for co-digestion of external organic waste and sewerage sludge. The waste water treatment works processes 110 ML of high COD effluent per day. This has been struggling due to the lack of solids processing infrastructure. The SGSA project effectively finances this infrastructure with private sector finance in conjunction with support from Department of Trade and Industry, innovative carbon finance and the DBSA. The project makes the following products; electricity, heat (used internally), biomethane, carbon dioxide and biosolids. Phase 1 of the project commenced Q4 2024 and is comprised of a modular anaerobic digestion and power plant located on the site. The project will eventually catalyse hundreds of jobs in the NMBM and generate more than 100 million ZAR per year local revenue selling energy to bluechip clients.
Project 2 - Coming soon
Our Team
Elvin Fredericks
Project Director
Elvin Fredericks is an experienced renewable energy entrepreneur and was part of the original renewable energy trading pilot company called Amatola Green Power, now called PowerX. Elvin has experience with energy trading, project development, energy metering and load-balancing solutions. From his experience in property development, he has gained a keen insight into fundraising and deployment and is an avid believer in the Just Transition and maximizing the value renewable energy can bring to South Africa. Originally from the Eastern Cape, his passion lies in building projects that give back in terms of infrastructure, energy and job creation.
Abdullah Solomons
Non-Executive Director
Abdullah is a Non-Executive Director of Straits Energy Holdings. As the COO of the Geomer, the major shareholder holding company, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the business. Abdullah is responsible for building strategic partnerships, growing the capital base of the company, and ensuring integration with the rest of the group to deliver innovative solutions in line with global best practices.
Marcel Golding
Sponsor
Marcel Golding holds a BSocSc BA (Hons) from the University of Cape Town. He began his career as a lecturer at the University in 1980 and became the Research Writer for the South African Labour Bulletin in 1983. From 1985 to the early 1990s, he held senior positions in the National Union of Mineworkers, culminating as Deputy General Secretary. In 1994, he was appointed as a Member of Parliament and served as Chairman of the Mining and Energy Committee. He co-founded Hosken Consolidated Investments in 1997, serving as Executive Chairman until 2014, while the company currently has a valuation of R17 billion. In 1998, he established e.tv, South Africa’s first independent free-to-air television station, and since 2015 has been managing his family’s business and investment portfolio.
Darius Boshoff
Engineer
As a Certified Professional Chemical Engineer with an MBA from Monash University, he possesses a robust skill set that is crucial for success. Since 2017, Darius has collaborated with Elvin in the development of the project, leveraging his extensive knowledge and experience to optimize various aspects, ensuring all elements align effectively to achieve financial close. His commitment and strategic approach have been instrumental in navigating the complexities of the project, making him a key asset in steering it towards successful completion.
Partners
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is a key stakeholder in the project as they are a buyer of electricity from the facility on a 3 year basis and are the main supplier of the site and sludge. SGSA processes the sludge for free for them and sells power at rates below the cost of Eskom. The Water and Sanitation department works alongside the Electricity and Energy department on this project.
Energidrop is the key technical development partner and owners engineer firm for the project. Energidrop has also been appointed for the implementation and operations of phase 1 of the project which constitutes a commercial pilot plant for bioenergy production.
Sustain Energy Assets is a development partner in the project and responsible for the supply of gensets for the main project. They have also been instrumental in providing some development finance in the early stages of the project.
GetInvest is a European programme that mobilises investment in renewable energy in developing countries. They support project developers and companies towards investment readiness and link them with financiers. In collaboration with many stakeholders in the sector, they also provide a range of other services to complement this effort and have sponsored some legal and technical work on the SGSA project.
The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) has become a major supporter of the project after a very long application period and various due diligence stages. DBSA has committed to the project through their Project Preparation Fund and the Green Fund and are the main sponsor for the Phase1 Pilot project at Fishwater Flats.
