John Thompson, a division of ACTOM (Pty) Ltd and South Africa’s leading provider of industrial energy solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Berkeley Energy Corporate Solutions (BECS), a specialist in developing and supplying biomass energy projects.
Together, these businesses aim to accelerate the deployment of reliable, renewable steam solutions for industrial customers in South Africa and across the African continent. This collaboration combines John Thompson’s extensive engineering expertise and manufacturing capabilities with BECS’ innovative approach to sourcing and supplying sustainable biomass fuel.
This partnership aims to help businesses decarbonise their operations, reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, and meet the growing demand for affordable, renewable energy.
As a non-exclusive partnership, BECS will continue to pursue other energy projects independently. Simultaneously, John Thompson will involve BECS in suitable projects for clients that require funding, development support, and scalable energy-as-a-service delivery.
Decarbonising with Confidence
Industrial sectors face increasing pressure to shift to low-carbon operations, making this partnership timely. The industrial sector is a major energy user and a significant source of carbon emissions, particularly in industries that rely heavily on high-temperature process heat, such as food and beverage, pulp and paper, chemicals, textiles, and mining.
Switching to cleaner fuels is not just a regulatory obligation; it is a business necessity, which is where the John Thompson-BECS model comes into play. The partnership offers a low-carbon steam solution utilising sustainable biomass feedstock. Under a long-term heat offtake agreement, the system is designed, financed, built, and operated on behalf of the client, who only pays for the steam consumed.
“This approach helps businesses overcome two major barriers to decarbonisation: the high upfront costs and the technical complexity of energy system upgrades,” said Jaco Grobbelaar, Industrial CEO at John Thompson. “Our clients do not need to become energy experts or infrastructure owners because we take on the risk, capital expenditure, and performance accountability.”
A Unique Approach to Biomass Supply
What sets this partnership apart is BECS’s strategic method of biomass sourcing. BECS goes beyond simply supplying fuel; it collaborates directly with large-scale agricultural and forestry producers and processors to secure long-term, sustainable, traceable, and cost-effective feedstock contracts. This guarantees a dependable fuel supply chain tailored to the client’s specific requirements—something many energy developers are unable to provide.
“In a market where supply risks and quality inconsistencies can hinder biomass adoption, we provide stability,” explains Jonathan Probert, Business Development Manager for Southern Africa at BECS. “We align our supply chains to specific project locations and customer volumes, ensuring security of supply while maintaining competitive prices.”
Unlike other players in the African energy sector, BECS is solely dedicated to renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions, including the use of sustainable biomass to generate steam and/or power. This dedicated focus distinguishes them from other providers, who often depend primarily on fossil fuels for energy generation.
This partnership allows us to deliver reliable, long-term energy solutions that address the real-world needs of industrial clients,” says Nicholas Tatrallyay, Managing Director at BECS. “Alongside John Thompson, we are addressing the cost, complexity, and carbon intensity of steam generation, supporting businesses in achieving sustainability and growth.”
Expanding Across Africa
Initial deployments are already in progress in South Africa, with plans to introduce the model to industrial clients in Zambia, Kenya, Mozambique, and Ghana, where energy resilience and sustainability are vital for growth. The solution is especially attractive to companies aiming to cut carbon emissions and operational risks while ensuring predictable long-term energy costs.
The partnership is advancing on various biomass boiler projects across South Africa, with potential expansion into other African markets where John Thompson already has a presence. Each solution is designed to be scalable, bankable, and customised to the operational realities of industrial users.
By integrating BECS’ biomass fuel solutions into John Thompson’s proven boiler systems and operational models, clients can anticipate a smooth switch to renewable energy without compromising performance or uptime.
Designed for Delivery and Long-Term Impact
“This is not just about replacing a fuel source; it is about delivering an end-to-end renewable energy solution that works,” concludes Grobbelaar. “Together with BECS, we are providing the African industry with the tools to achieve sustainability, profitability, and resilience.”