Background
Chateau Gateaux is one of South Africa's most recognisable premium confectionery manufacturers. Their large-scale production facility in River Horse Valley, Durban runs predominantly during daylight hours. Rising eThekwini tariffs made solar an obvious fit. The client required a solution with zero capital outlay.
Challenge
The rooftop spanned multiple building sections of varying age and load-bearing capacity. Structural constraints limited where and how panels could be mounted. The client's treasury team required an off-balance-sheet structure, ruling out any ownership-based financing model.
Solution
SOCO ENERGY surveyed all roof sections and designed a 700kWp grid-tied system around the facility's load profile. Lightweight mounting was used across constrained areas to maximise capacity. SOCO CAPITAL funded the project under a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement, delivering a fixed below-tariff rate from day one with no capital expenditure. Commissioned in 8 weeks.
Outcome
The facility achieved a 30% reduction in total electricity costs from day one. The 25-year fixed PPA rate shields the business from future municipal tariff increases. Delivered on time and on budget. The project has since been cited by Chateau Gateaux's parent group as a benchmark for energy cost reduction across their manufacturing portfolio.