SolarAfrica has partnered with Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit in Limpopo to support it in becoming Africa’s first Verified Net Zero hotel, while forming an integral part of Radisson Hotel Group’s ambition to achieve 100 Verified Net Zero hotels by 2030.
SolarAfrica played a role in addressing the hotel’s renewable energy requirements, developing a phased approach that builds on its existing infrastructure while creating opportunities to integrate further clean energy solutions in the years ahead.
Explains David McDonald, CEO of SolarAfrica: “Every business has different energy goals, and the starting point isn’t always a new solar installation. It’s about understanding what the business is trying to achieve, what infrastructure it already has in place and how we can build on that.”
“With Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit, now a Verified Net Zero Hotel, we had a very clear objective: help the hotel meet its current renewable energy requirements while putting the right solutions in place to support its longer-term ambitions. This partnership demonstrates how businesses can make progress towards their sustainability goals without having to overhaul their entire energy infrastructure or commit to a single solution.”
Building on what already exists
Located near the Kruger National Park, the 138-room Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit has undertaken an extensive sustainability programme spanning its energy use and wider operations. The hotel’s Verified Net Zero status has been independently assessed by TÜV Rheinland, with the programme addressing emissions across Scopes 1, 2 and 3.
With initiatives like on-site solar, waste reduction, water conservation, carbon credits, low-carbon dining and electrified operations already in place, the hotel’s Verified Net Zero journey was almost complete. The next step was to identify how the hotel could meet its remaining green electricity requirements. Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) from SolarAfrica provide traceable renewable attributes to address its immediate requirements, while a wheeling agreement, set to take effect in 2027, will introduce an additional source of renewable energy through the national grid. Wheeling enables businesses to procure power generated off-site at utility-scale solar farms such as SolarAfrica’s SunCentral, removing the physical limitations of relying solely on generation at their own premises.
McDonald says these developments are particularly valuable for sectors such as hospitality, where limited space and property arrangements can make traditional solar installations difficult. “For many hotels, rooftop solar can only take them so far. Some don’t own their buildings, while others simply don’t have sufficient space to generate the electricity they need. A lot of the traditional energy agreements also tie you into a 20-year plan, which, in the current economic climate, simply isn’t the way businesses are looking at their energy strategies anymore,” he adds.
“When you’re working towards ambitious sustainability targets, waiting until you can install the perfect single solution isn’t practical. The good news is that South Africa’s energy market has evolved considerably. With virtual power options like wheeling offering more flexible agreements, businesses now have more options available than ever before to truly take control of their electricity. Where they get it from, how they consume it, and how they use it to meet their goals is completely up to them under the guidance of a renewable energy partner. This gives them greater flexibility to make progress at a pace that works for their operations.”
A greener future for hospitality
For Radisson Hotel Group, the Hoedspruit milestone demonstrates how existing hotels can transition towards more sustainable operations without compromising on the guest experience.
Danie Smit, General Manager of Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit, says: “Becoming Africa’s first Verified Net Zero hotel demonstrates what is possible when sustainability is embedded into the way a hotel operates. In a destination like Hoedspruit, where the natural environment is such an integral part of the experience, reducing our environmental footprint is particularly important. This milestone shows that existing hotels can make the transition to net zero, setting a practical example for the hospitality industry in South Africa and beyond.”
Beyond its environmental benefits, McDonald believes that a more flexible approach to renewable energy procurement could also help businesses manage their long-term electricity costs more effectively. As electricity tariffs continue to rise and South Africa’s energy market opens up to greater private sector participation, businesses are reconsidering how they source and manage their electricity. On-site solar generation, wheeling and other complementary solutions can be introduced progressively, depending on a company’s needs.
Concludes McDonald: “Being at the forefront of sustainable tourism requires a deep commitment to embracing renewable energy advancements. With next-generation virtual solutions like wheeling and Renewable Energy Certificates, businesses are no longer limited to traditional solar energy, putting them in control of reaching their sustainability targets faster. We are excited to see this journey serve as a blueprint for other hotels – demonstrating what can be achieved with the right renewable energy partner.”