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providers. In addition, we oversaw the construction of new infrastructure, such as good quality roads that enabled us to transport materials and people from Durban harbour to the plant site.But Ingula is not only a prime example in terms of its local integration. Pumped-storage power plants in general fulfil significant tasks. The principle behind the operation is both simple and ingenious at the same time. They are an energy store and a hydroelectric power plant in one. If there is a surplus of power in the grid, the pumped-storage power station switches to pumping mode moving water from a lower reservoir to a higher storage basin. If the demand for electricity in the grid rises, water is released from the upper basin to the bottom via a pressure pipeline and causes the pump turbines, used to drive the generators, to move. Within seconds, electricity is generated and fed back into the electricity grid.Both in industrial nations as well as in developing countries with a rising need for energy, production and consumption of electricity do not always run together concurrently. In future, power generation by wind and photovoltaic systems will, in case of strong wind or high solar radiation, be far above the load and, likewise, far below the load in an increasing number of hours. In addition, it must be expected that upward and downward jumps of renewable energy generation will be rising, especially in the short-term time frame owed to cloud movements or wind fronts that will be difficult to predict accurately. Pumped-storage power plants are ideally suited worldwide in helping to even out these frequent changes between electricity shortages and surpluses which significantly prevent the curtailment of renewable energies. Modern systems need only thirty seconds to start up from a standstill and in the event of a black out, pumped-storage power plants can support and control the complex grid restoration process due to their unique black start ability. At present, they are the only available and proven bulk energy storage facilities with the highest efficiency and longest lifetime.FLEXIBLE FINANCING To harness Africa’s hydropower potential, financing flexibility is essential. Hydropower plants are a capital-intensive investment. Financial solutions ease the immediate financial burden by spreading the cost over a long period – especially in developing economies. Tailored financing concepts in cooperation with private commercial banks and state-backed export credit insurers, which are usually based in the home country of the project’s main supplier, are of enormous importance. Therefore, every concept is customized to specific needs, based on local variables, project details and the customer’s financial situation. The modernization of Mount Coffee, for example, was financed by the Liberian and Norwegian governments, the European Investment Bank, Germany’s KfW Bank, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation of the US government. Voith works closely with such leading financial institutions and insurers to help African customers spread the cost of building or rehabilitating hydropower facilities over realistic time frames.It is important to keep in mind that with regard to the overall life cycle, hydropower has the lowest cost of all energy generation forms and its long-term return is among the highest. Still, investment needs for a low-carbon future are enormous. There are ambitious targets requiring major investments that will depend on private sector finance. Meeting these investment objectives necessitates not only active private sector participation, but also an enabling policy and regulatory framework to incentivize and support private sector financing for the transition to a low-carbon economy. To help mitigate risk in environmentally sustainable and low-carbon markets, the public sector can play a key role in supporting the effective mobilization of private sector sources of green finance.CONCLUSIONAfrica is full of potential. But the investment requirements in green infrastructure and green energy are huge, and more partnerships and synergies between the different actors are required to ensure future success and sustainability. Its storage and base load capabilities as well as the low carbon dioxide emissions make hydropower a valuable resource in achieving such success and also climate targets. More and more countries around the globe are turning to the potential of pumped-storage power plants as they prepare the way for increased use of renewable energy sources as many of them are subject to strong natural fluctuations. ■ABOUT THE AUTHORAfter studying industrial engineering at Esslingen Technical University, Uwe Wehnhardt held various positions at meaningful, international companies like Procter & Gamble or Alfred Kärcher where he had also been working abroad for several years. He joined Voith in 2007 and has been a Member of the Management Board of Voith Hydro since 2011. Since January 1, 2016, he has been a member of the Corporate Board of Management and chairman of the Management Board of Voith Hydro.Above: Uwe WehnhardtBelow: A lathe machine operator inside Voith’s onsite workshop at Ingula hydropower plant.SUSTAINABLE ENERGY 045