The Du Plessis Dam Solar PV2 plant, a 105MW (75MWac) solar photovoltaic project adjacent to De Aar in the Northern Cape, has reached financial close, according to Mulilo, an independent power producer in South Africa. With Etana Energy as the off taker, the project is one of the first in South Africa to close under an energy aggregator model, marking a significant milestone. The project is being developed by Mulilo in collaboration with H1 Capital.
“This is more than just another solar project; it signifies a new era of energy trading and innovation in South Africa. We are leading the way in a more dynamic and effective energy market that will eventually help both consumers and companies by utilizing an aggregator model. Said Mulilo CEO Jan Fourie, highlighting the project’s creative approach.
An estimated 248 GWh of power will be produced yearly by the Du Plessis Dam Solar PV2 installation, making a substantial contribution to South Africa’s renewable energy supply. The project will be one of four plants connected to the Kestrel Main Transmission Substation and is ideally situated close to other Mulilo developments. The substation, which was created by Mulilo, has improved the integration of renewable energy into the national grid by unlocking crucial grid capacity in a location with abundant solar resources.
The project is the most recent development in Mulilo’s expanding array of renewable energy sources. The company’s current operational capacity is 420MW, and it has closed 660MW of new renewable energy projects over the past year. Mulilo’s position in South Africa’s clean energy transition is further strengthened by the Du Plessis Dam Solar PV2 facility, which comes after the recently concluded Ukuqala Solar project.
Cooperation with the financial, legal, and strategic advising teams, including Pepper Tree Capital, Bowmans, ENS, and Standard Bank as the Mandated Lead Arranger, led to the successful financial closing. “These accomplishments demonstrate the depth of our collaborations and our dedication to expediting South Africa’s shift to sustainable energy,” Fourie concluded.
Mulilo keeps adding renewable energy projects to its pipeline, which is crucial for advancing the nation’s decarbonization and energy security objectives.
