Staff Writer
O&L Nexentury GmbH, a subsidiary of the Ohlthaver & List Group, recently announced that it was granted the advanced water management permit from the District Administration Office of Karlsruhe, Germany, for the construction and operation of what will be Germany’s largest fully permitted and floating solar photovoltaic (PV) park at this point in time. The solar park will be built on the gravel lake of sand and gravel works company, Philipp & Co KG, in Bad Schönborn, Germany. O&L Nexentury plans to commence construction of the solar park in the third quarter of 2023 with the intention for it to be operational by the end of the year.
This week, Observer Money asked Steffen Kammerer, Managing Director (MD) of O&L Europe and Co-MD of O&L Nexentury, about the future plans of O&L Nexentury GmbH and what other projects are lined up in the future.
Observer Money (OM): How much money is O&L NexenturyGmbH investing in this venture?
Steffen Kammerer (SK): The total investment value of the floating PV plant to be built in Bad Schönborn, Germany, is about N$350 million. O&L Nexentury GmbH is the project developer and Engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) to the project. O&L Nexentury GmbH will also do the O&M with O&L Europe being an investor in the project.
OM: Talk to us more about O&L Nexentury GmbH and why the Ohlthaver & List Group decided to set up O&L NexenturyGmbH?
SK: The O&L Nexentury Group is a fully integrated IPP (independent power producer) specialising in the development, construction, and operation of sustainable and innovative projects for renewable energy supply. With over 10 years of experience and projects in Europe and Southern Africa, the renewable energy company provides services throughout the entire project lifecycle, including project development, planning, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance, all under one roof.
O&L Nexentury came into being in August 2020 when the O&L Group entered into a merger with CRONIMET Mining Power Solutions GmbH (whereby O&L acquired the majority stake in CRONIMET Mining Power Solutions GmbH). The company’s goal is to support and contribute to the international energy transmission towards renewable energy.
OM: What other ventures is O&L Nexentury GmbH looking at in Europe?
SK: O&L Nexentury is focused on the development and realisation of sustainable renewable energy solutions such as floating PV plants, AGRI-PV and utility scale PV power plants. O&L Europe is also looking at possibilities within real estate, hospitality and the finance industry.
OM: How important is the O&L Nexentury GmbH to the Ohlthaver & List Group?
SK: O&L Nexentury is part of the energy division of the O&L Group. The Group prioritises sustainability and this includes in its business ventures and the management of investments of green, and sustainable projects. By providing renewable energy solutions, O&L Nexentury plays an important part in the O&L portfolio by delivering on the commitment to sustainability.
OM: The Ohlthaver & List Group is a company founded in Namibia, how is O&L Nexentury GmbH helping the group to spread its footprint outside Namibia?
SK: O&L Nexentury currently has offices in Cape Town, Windhoek, Munich, Eschbach, Abidjan and Gaborone and has completed PV projects and feasibility studies in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Germany, Bulgaria and Italy.
