South Africa inaugurates its largest solar power wheeling project in Lichtenburg. This landmark initiative, led by the SOLA Group in partnership with Tronox Mineral Sands, will deliver over 200 MW of renewable energy, inject more than R200 million into the local economy, and create hundreds of jobs.
Construction commenced in September 2023.
Jonathan Skeen, SOLA Group MD Commercial, highlighted the significance of the project, noting, “Today marks a major milestone in South Africa’s energy landscape. This project represents one of the first large-scale solar developments since the lifting of the licensing cap and showcases the success of public-private partnerships in advancing our energy infrastructure.”
The project, consisting of two solar plants near Lichtenburg, generates 126 MWp and 130 MWp, respectively. These facilities will provide clean energy to Tronox Mineral Sands in KZN and the Western Cape via a Wheeling Agreement with the Eskom Transmission Network. The plants feature over 390,000 bifacial solar modules on single-axis trackers, covering 430 hectares and producing 593,721 MWh of renewable energy annually—enough to power over 80,000 households and avoid 420,760 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year.
Wheeling, the transfer of electrical power between grid areas, offers a cleaner alternative to coal-based energy, allowing businesses to source private, renewable power while supporting the state utility, Eskom. This project is notable for being among the first major solar installations outside the Northern Cape, traditionally favored due to its grid capacity.
Katherine Persson, Managing Director of SOLA Asset, explained the choice of North West, stating, “This province offered the best conditions with excellent solar irradiation, suitable land, and necessary grid connections. Additionally, we aimed to bring substantial benefits to the local community.”
The Lichtenburg project has had a significant impact on the local economy, generating 789 temporary jobs, employing 147 workers through SMMEs, involving 700 contractors, and investing over R200 million. It has also provided 305 educational opportunities and established a stakeholder engagement structure to ensure ongoing community support.
The North West provincial government’s renewable energy strategy, implemented in 2012, aims to enhance environmental sustainability, mitigate climate change, reduce energy poverty, stimulate economic growth, and create green jobs.
The SOLA projects represent a major advancement in South Africa’s private energy sector, fulfilling a bilateral electricity sales agreement with Tronox Mineral Sands. Mpho Motho, Managing Director of Tronox South Africa and KSA, emphasized the project’s benefits, noting, “The SOLA initiative not only supports Tronox’s energy needs but also improves the livelihoods of local communities by creating job opportunities and reducing carbon emissions.”
EPC work was conducted by WBHO and SOLA Build Joint Venture, with SOLA Build handling design, engineering, procurement, and commissioning, and WBHO overseeing construction. This project marks a breakthrough for the private energy market in South Africa and sets the stage for future developments.
SOLA Group has established itself as a pioneer in South Africa’s renewable energy sector, boasting the country’s sole operational utility-scale renewable wheeling plants with a combined capacity of 268 MWp. The company is currently expanding its footprint with an additional 325 MWp of projects under construction, according to Ian Burger, MD Technical at SOLA.
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