SOLA Group to start construction of 132 MWp solar project in South Africa

African Rainbow Minerals and SOLA Group are all set to start construction of a 132 MWp solar project in South Africa.

The companies have reached an agreement with local commercial banks and partners to provide finance for the project. It will be located in the northwest province of the country.

It has been planned that the project will sell energy to mining operations operated by African Rainbow Minerals through a long-term power purchase agreement. For this, it will use the national grid.

As per the companies, the “project will generate 270 GWh of clean electricity annually and provide much-needed electricity to the national grid.”

It has been reported that this project is the third large-scale renewable energy project closed by SOLA Group in six months. With this, the company’s under construction projects have reached 390 MW.

“Apart from providing cheaper, cleaner energy into the network, this project also stimulates local economic development in areas where people have had limited employment opportunities,” Chris Haw, Executive Director, and co-founder at SOLA Group, was quoted in a statement.

So far, African Rainbow Energy has invested in 1 Gigawatt of renewable energy projects.

Brian Dames, CEO of African Rainbow Energy, remarked, “As a leading clean energy company, this demonstrates our commitment to build a modern privately owned utility using technology to provide clean energy solutions to large customers, supporting the transition of the energy sector, creating more jobs, and changing the lives of South Africans.”

To be noted, South Africa needs 6,000 MW of new clean power generation annually for the next 10 years.