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Shell-owned Daystar Power is pushing into the South African market, where the solar provider expects rapid growth due to record power cuts.

South Africa has seen a surge in alternative power systems as state-owned utility Eskom fails to meet demand. Daystar is opening offices in Johannesburg less than a year after Shell bought the business.

“There is such a dire need in South Africa with load-shedding and the impact it is having on the economy,” Wendy Green, Daystar’s new South Africa head, said in an interview. “Our main strategy is to grow organically, but we are not closed to acquisition opportunities in order to grow faster.”

Daystar is the first power firm to be acquired by Shell on the continent and was originally focused on West Africa. Growth plans include opening an office in Tanzania, said Green, who previously worked on energy projects for South African miner Exxaro Resources and chemical and fuel maker Sasol.