Mulilo Closes 337 MW Middlepunt Solar Project, Marking Lowest-Cost Power Under REIPPPP

Mulilo has reached financial close on its 337 MW Middlepunt Solar PV project, marking its second solar project closure this year and a significant milestone for South Africa’s renewable energy sector.

The Middlepunt facility, located near Welkom in the Free State Province, will have a contracted export capacity of 240 MWAC. It is the first project under the government’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme Bid Window 7 to achieve financial close.

Once operational, the plant is expected to generate approximately 770 GWh of clean electricity annually. It will connect to the Everest Main Transmission Substation, supporting efficient integration into the national grid. The project is projected to offset around 813,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year and supply power to roughly 325,000 households.

Electricity from the project will be delivered at a tariff of ZAR 458/MWh (about USD 27/MWh), positioning it among the lowest-cost renewable energy sources globally. A 20-year Power Purchase Agreement has been signed with the National Transmission Company of South Africa.

The project aligns with Mulilo’s goal of adding 1 GW of capacity annually across solar, wind, and battery storage. Key stakeholders include the Department of Electricity and Energy, Eskom, and the Independent Power Producer Office, alongside major financial and advisory partners.

Jan Fourie, CEO of Mulilo, said: “Financial close of the Middlepunt Solar PV project marks a major achievement for South Africa’s renewable energy programme under Bid Window 7. Reaching this milestone required immense effort and collaboration from a wide range of stakeholders across government, industry, and our financial, legal and technical partners. We are deeply grateful to all who contributed to making this project a reality.”