Cinergy Mobile Power, based in Cape Town, installed clean, mobile energy systems at several important production locations on the set of One Piece Season 2, one of Netflix‘s most popular international shows and its largest production ever shot in Africa.
The second season of the live-action anime/manga adaptation was a huge win for the South African film industry, seeing massive viewership upon its release all over the world.
Founded in 2023 by Abe Cambridge and Brad Briscoe, Cinergy Mobile Power aims to provide smart, diesel-free mobile power solutions for events, productions, and other short-term energy uses.
They give particular attention to helping the South African film and TV industry, which often faces pressure from rising diesel costs, with Cinergy offering a workable substitute for generators without affecting methods of operation.
Cinergy installed clean, mobile energy systems at several important production locations on the set of One Piece Season 2, including:
- A 400 kWh battery system paired with 150 kW of solar PV at Cape Town Film Studios for over 24 weeks. (avoiding around 78 tonnes of CO₂ emissions)
- A fully mobile 90 kWh battery with 60 kW solar PV for off-site construction and operations for eight weeks. (avoiding around 15 tonnes of CO₂ emissions)
Throughout production, Cinergy’s team kept an eye on and improved system performance while giving production teams access to real-time energy usage data, with Cambridge saying, ‘Energy is becoming a strategic production variable. What we’ve shown here is that productions don’t have to rely on diesel to achieve reliability at scale.’
‘There are cleaner, quieter solutions that integrate seamlessly into how film productions on location already operate.’
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As previously stated, there is growing pressure on the film and television industries, both in South Africa and globally, to cut emissions and abandon diesel-powered generation. The usage of diesel generators contributes to around 600 000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year, or roughly 15% of the emissions from film and television productions, according to RMI.
Tens of thousands of employment are supported by the South African film industry, which significantly boosts the local economy. According to 2024 reports, international film producers invested R2.52 billion in the nation; for every rand spent, an additional R2.50 was generated in broader economic activity. 10 to 15% of this is estimated to go into power provision alone.
Therefore, access to clean, dependable transportable electricity is becoming more and more crucial when it comes to where productions decide to shoot as global studios increase their sustainability standards.
Cinergy’s aim to deliver alternative, specially designed solar-hybrid mobile power systems is a huge win for the industry, and given the success of One Piece Season 2, it may attract further international products to invest in South Africa.
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Also Read:
International movies and shows that were filmed in South Africa
Picture: Supplied
