SolarAfrica Energy has begun construction on Phase 1 of its R5 billion SunCentral project — a utility-scale solar farm in the Northern Cape with an initial capacity of 342 MW. When all three phases are complete, the project will total 1 GW, making it one of the largest solar projects in the country.
Construction Phases of the SunCentral Solar Farm
SolarAfrica Energy, an Independent Power Producer, has officially broken ground on its flagship utility-scale solar farm in the Northern Cape. This marks the beginning of the ambitious R5 billion SunCentral project, with its first phase set to contribute approximately 342 MW of solar generation capacity. Once completed, the project’s total capacity will reach a remarkable 1 GW.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, SolarAfrica Energy CEO David McDonald emphasized the essential partnerships behind the project’s success. He particularly praised Eskom for facilitating wheeling and helping to address South Africa’s power generation challenges.
Soventix South Africa, which initially developed the project for the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPP), also received special recognition. Soventix sold the rights to Phase 1 to SolarAfrica and will continue to develop Phases 2 and 3.
Over 500,000 Solar Panels to be Installed
Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) firms Proconics and Sinohydro are key to the project’s success. Proconics will handle the installation of SunCentral’s Main Transmission Substation (MTS), while Sinohydro will install over 500,000 solar panels.
Image: Collected
Phase 1 represents an investment of approximately R5 billion. Of this, roughly R1 billion is allocated to the Main Transmission Substation (MTS), which is funded by SolarAfrica—part of the Starsight Energy Group. This substation is essential for connecting the on-site power to the national transmission grid.
The remaining R4 billion is being invested in the solar installation itself, underscoring SunCentral’s substantial contribution to the nation’s power infrastructure. McDonald noted that such investments significantly enhance the grid’s capacity to manage and distribute electricity across the country.
Located between Hanover and De Aar, the SunCentral project will include several corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives developed with local community members. The project will also serve as a prototype for other wheeling projects in East and West Africa, particularly in Kenya and Nigeria.
According to McDonald, these CSR initiatives will align with ongoing community needs assessments and adhere to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the National Development Plan, the Emthanjeni Local Municipal Strategic Objectives, and SolarAfrica’s core values.
Up to a 50% Cut in Energy Costs for Businesses
Nationally, the SunCentral solar farm will help alleviate Eskom’s generation load by enabling more South African businesses to access affordable, clean energy through wheeling. SolarAfrica emphasizes that this approach is not limited to large power consumers, a move that should significantly boost economic growth across commercial and industrial sectors.
SolarAfrica claims the power generated at SunCentral will be entirely green and up to 50% cheaper than traditional utility power. Interested businesses can secure this lower-cost power by signing a virtual power purchase agreement with the company.
Companies like Vantage Data Centers, Attacq, and Enpower Trading have already committed to Phase 1 of the project, signaling strong business interest in the cost-saving and environmental advantages of wheeling. With Phases 2 and 3 on the horizon, SolarAfrica expects more businesses to have the chance to participate.
The company is also working on several other solar projects across the country, aiming to build a generation portfolio exceeding 3 GW. McDonald emphasized that commencing the SunCentral project is a collective achievement that highlights the significant potential of wheeling in South Africa. This landmark investment of R5 billion marks a significant step forward for the country’s renewable energy efforts and sets a precedent for similar projects across Africa.
