- E3 Capital, Equator VC, and Factor E Ventures backed Open Access Energy to expand its EnergyPro software for wheeling renewable power through South Africa’s grid.
- The company will scale tools to support independent power producers and energy traders in the country’s growing open electricity market.
Open Access Energy (OAE) has secured strategic funding from climate-focused investors E3 Capital, Equator VC, and Factor E Ventures to accelerate the expansion of its flagship product, EnergyPro. This cloud-based software simplifies energy wheeling by transmitting electricity from distributed renewable sources to consumers through the existing power grid.
Founded in 2021, OAE is tackling South Africa’s energy reliability challenges while supporting the nation’s transition from coal to renewables. The EnergyPro platform also offers real-time metering, forecasting, and risk management tools, ensuring electricity generation and consumption stay closely aligned.
Meanwhile, Andrew Darge of E3 Capital praised the company’s innovation. “Open Access Energy has developed a software-first approach to a pressing challenge,” he said. “The platform enables municipal wheeling, supports embedded generation, and ensures transparent settlement at scale, key elements for advancing Africa’s clean energy transition.”
Furthermore, Morgan DeFoort, a partner at Equator VC, highlighted the company’s long-term impact. “We’re supporting a team that combines strong technical expertise with deep market insight to drive lasting change,” he said. “They are laying the foundation for private clean energy distribution across South Africa.”
Additionally, CEO Gerjo Hoffman said the new funding will help scale the platform’s capabilities. He explained that these upgrades will empower independent power producers and energy traders to thrive in a liberalised electricity market.
Board Chairman James Irons added that the company plans to engage a local investment partner to support its next growth phase.
With these strategic moves, Open Access Energy positions itself as a key player in South Africa’s clean energy future. The expanded EnergyPro tools will boost grid efficiency and help unlock the region’s full renewable energy potential.