Standard Bank has deepened its commitment to South Africa’s energy transformation through a strategic partnership with NOA Group, one of the country’s fastest-growing and most dynamic energy aggregators. Backed by African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM), NOA is rapidly emerging as a key player in reshaping the national energy landscape by aggregating renewable energy sources and delivering clean, cost-effective power to large-scale consumers.
This partnership is anchored in a shared vision: to build a cleaner, more competitive, and secure energy future for South Africa. Through a combination of strategic project financing and tailored structured finance solutions, Standard Bank is enabling NOA to scale its renewable energy portfolio at an unprecedented pace.
Financing the Future: Over R15 Billion in Energy Deals
To date, Standard Bank has acted as the sole mandated lead arranger and underwriter for approximately R15 billion in debt financing facilities across NOA Group’s generation projects. These investments are not only unlocking new capacity but also laying the foundation for a more resilient and independent energy ecosystem.
Key milestones achieved through this partnership include:
- September 2024: Financial close on the 140MW Ishwati Emoyeni Wind Farm, developed by ACED, with NOA as the offtaker.
- December 2024: Financial close on the 94.5MW Wind Garden Project, NOA’s first wholly owned large-scale wind energy facility.
- June 2025: Financial close on the 348.5MW Khauta South Solar PV Facility, pushing NOA’s installed generation capacity beyond 500MW.
- June 2025: Financial close on a NOA Group Trading payment guarantee facility, unlocking ~900MW in generation payment security.
Khauta South: A Landmark in Solar Energy
The Khauta South Solar PV Facility, with a capacity of 348.5MW, stands as the largest solar photovoltaic project to reach financial close in South Africa to date. Standard Bank provided R4.17 billion in project financing, acting as the sole mandated lead arranger and underwriter. All electricity generated will be purchased by NOA Group Trading, reinforcing the project’s role in supporting industrial and commercial energy users with reliable green power.
Beyond Infrastructure: Building a Scalable Energy Ecosystem
Standard Bank’s role extends far beyond financing. The bank is actively contributing to the creation of an independent, scalable, and sustainable energy ecosystem that reduces reliance on Eskom, lowers carbon emissions, and supports the growth of South Africa’s green economy.
“Our partnership with NOA is a showcase of what leadership in energy finance looks like,” said Nicholas Knott-Craig, Executive Vice President, Energy and Infrastructure at Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking. “Deal by deal, we are helping build one of the most significant new energy platforms in the country.”
Vincenzia Leitich, Executive Vice President, added: “From zero to over 500MW of generation capacity in under nine months, NOA’s success is also a reflection of our ability to lead the market with fit-for-purpose financial solutions that deliver real impact.”
Pioneering Financial Innovation for Energy Transition
Standard Bank’s deep expertise in navigating complex regulatory environments and structuring innovative, bankable deals makes it a natural partner for companies like NOA that are driving the energy transition. The bank is at the forefront of private energy market development, offering tailored financial instruments that enable rapid and sustainable scaling of renewable energy platforms.
This partnership exemplifies Standard Bank’s broader commitment to sustainable growth, shared value creation, and climate resilience—not only for its clients but for communities and the environment at large. Together, Standard Bank and NOA Group are powering a brighter, greener, and more secure energy future for South Africa.
