SOLA Group and its partners have kicked off construction on two solar projects in South Africa’s North West Province, with modules supplied by a subsidiary of Canadian Solar.
The projects total 256 MW and represent the largest utility-scale private offtaker Power Purchase Agreement solar projects in the country to date.
Set to come online in Q1 2024, the 126 MW and 130 MW projects will generate enough renewable electricity to supply 40,000 households and eliminate 595 tons of carbon emissions per year.
“These are the first solar projects of this scale in South Africa that are based on private power purchase agreements. It’s also a great plus for the country that these projects are 100% South African owned, financed, constructed, operated and managed,” stated Dom Wills, CEO of SOLA Group
“This is a great achievement and an important step in South Africa’s plan to allow more flexible electricity trading by opening up the grid,” added Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and CEO of Canadian Solar.
South Africa’s renewable energy sector has seen explosive growth in recent years, including over $200 billion in investment on the back of the country’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement (REIPPP) program. The program remains one of the most advanced renewable energy programs on the continent and supports the government’s goal of producing 17,800 MW from renewable resources by 2030.