Together with funding partners Investec and RMB, SolarAfrica is pleased to announce the successful completion of the first 114 MW component of its flagship utility-scale solar project, SunCentral, marking yet another significant advancement in the project’s development. The project’s implementation in South Africa has begun with the RI.8 billion investment in SunCentral.
In the Northern Cape region of South Africa, SunCentral is a sizable solar photovoltaic (PV) facility situated between Hanover and De Aar. Three stages will be used to create the project.
The 342 MW of Phase 1 will be delivered via a phased roll-out of three 114
MW facilities that will transport renewable energy via South Africa’s electrical system to a variety of off-takers. Phases two and three will boost SunCentral’s up to 1 GW of capacity.
SolarAfrica’s project will provide wheeling on a one-to-many basis, making it accessible to a larger pool of South African enterprises than similarly sized projects that do so on a one-to-one basis (one generation plant supplying one off-taker).
“Reaching financial close on the first 114 MW of our utility-scale wheeling growth and Main Transmission Substation (MT S) investment marks a significant milestone in our commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions for our customers in the commercial and industrial sectors,” says Charl Alheit, Chief Investment Officer at SolarAfrica, who led the financial close.
In addition he says that SunCentral’s magnitude will allow even more companies nationwide to have access to more affordable, environmentally friendly electricity. “As we continue to support the energy transition and provide long-term solutions, we are thrilled to see this project progress.”
The larger Starsight Energy Africa Group includes SolarAfrica. The success of SunCentral will serve as a model for comparable off-site generation projects, some of which may be smaller, in other important African markets where the Starsight Energy Africa Group firms are active.
Paul van Zijl, Group CEO of Starsight Energy Africa Group, states that the building of SolarAfrica’s SunCentral is an essential step in our effort to increase the use of renewable energy throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. “We are excited to move this project forward and continue delivering long-term value to our customers,” he states.
World-renowned investors Helios Investment Partners and African Infrastructure Investment Managers (A11M), both of whom have decades of experience providing capital to support African innovation, support SolarAfrica.
“SolarAfrica is thrilled to have reached Financial Close on the first 114 MW on SunCentral,” says Thor Corry, Investment Director at A11M.
“SolarAfrica can scale quickly to meet the needs of C&I customers in South Africa who wish to ensure price certainty and cost efficiencies while advancing South Africa’s Just Energy Transition, thanks to the modular approach used to build the MTS and plug in subsequent 114 MW modules. Projects like these are essential, as South Africa needs up to 30 GW of additional capacity by 2030 to meet its energy demands and climate goals, says Corry.
