South Africa’s state-owned Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has selected Amulet Group Consortium to build and manage its inaugural 20 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant at the Port of Richards Bay.
The project is a key component of TNPA’s Renewable Energy Purchase Program, which aims to introduce approximately 100 MW of renewable energy across South Africa’s eight commercial seaports.
“The introduction of a renewable energy solution in the port system will enable the reduction of carbon emissions and greenhouse gas emissions from coal-generated electricity. It will further provide a cost-effective and reliable energy supply to the port and its users,” said Moshe Motlohi, TNPA Managing Executive for the Eastern Region Ports.
Amulet Group Consortium – comprising construction and consulting firm Amulet Group and energy services company LTM Energy Group – was selected following a Request for Proposals process initiated in May 2023. The Consortium will handle the design, construction, testing, commissioning, operation and maintenance of the solar PV plant, which includes a battery energy storage system, over a seven-year period.
Construction of the solar PV plant is set to begin this month, with the facility expected to be operational by May 2026. The initiative aligns with South Africa’s national goal of transitioning to a net-zero economy by 2050.
