Adrian Gore makes move in renewable energy for African SMEs

Key Points

• Adrian Gore launches Ampli Energy with Sasol, offering renewable electricity to South African SMEs with no upfront cost or long-term contract. 
• Discovery Green taps wheeled power from wind and solar farms, enabling cost savings, ESG alignment, and clean energy access for small businesses. 
• The green energy investment powers Discovery’s expansion beyond financial services, boosting its ESG credentials and national grid transformation.

Discovery Green, the renewable energy arm of Discovery Group, led by Adrian Gore, has unveiled a game-changing green energy solution in collaboration with global energy company Sasol. The new platform, Ampli Energy, offers small and medium-sized businesses across South Africa access to renewable electricity via the national grid—without upfront capital, infrastructure installation, or long-term contracts.

This marks the first time that wheeled electricity—energy generated at remote wind and solar farms and delivered through the grid—has been made accessible to businesses of all sizes. Ampli Energy’s month-to-month subscription model enables immediate cost savings and emissions reductions, plus cashback incentives for users.

Gore expands Discovery’s footprint beyond financial services

“Ampli Energy is a powerful combination of Discovery Green’s wheeling expertise and Sasol’s energy leadership,” said Adrian Gore, CEO of Discovery Group. “This innovation broadens inclusion in South Africa’s energy economy—making clean energy a reality for businesses historically excluded from the market.” 

Launched in 2023, Discovery Green has already brought on major clients like Implats, Balwin Properties, and Fortress through its existing wheeling platform. Ampli Energy builds on that momentum to target SMEs, NGOs, and corporates that lack the scale or capital to commit to traditional power purchase agreements. 

Andre Nepgen, head of Discovery Green, added that Ampli offers “a no-hassle, penalty-free solution” tailored to businesses that need flexibility but still want to align with ESG goals.

Sasol brings scale and momentum to renewable rollout

Backed by Sasol’s deep energy generation expertise, Ampli Energy will tap into a growing supply of wheeled green energy from new infrastructure like the 69MW Msenge Emoyeni Wind Farm in the Eastern Cape.

Operated by a consortium including ACED and AIIM’s IDEAS Fund, the wind farm is now supplying power to Sasolburg operations via the national grid. Discovery and Sasol have committed over 450MWh annually to Ampli Energy, translating into a R1.8 billion ($99.4 million) to R2.5 billion ($138 millon) investment that will be deployed in tranches.

Founded in 1992 by Gore and Barry Swartzberg as a medical insurer, Discovery has grown into one of South Africa’s most diversified financial services groups. Gore, who holds a 12.96 percent stake in Discovery, reaffirmed confidence in the group’s long-term growth, expecting profits to outpace its benchmark of inflation plus 10 percent—without the need for additional capital.

The group’s interim H1 2025 results revealed a 26.8 percent jump in headline earnings to R7.02 billion ($378 million), reflecting strong operational momentum. Discovery Life, a core unit, paid out R11.5 billion ($593 million) in benefits, with wellness incentives now surpassing traditional death claims.