EDF Power Solutions And Anglo American Commission 520 MW Wind And Solar Cluster In South Africa

EDF power solutions and Anglo American have announced the full commissioning of the 520 MW Koruson 2 renewable energy cluster in South Africa. Developed through their joint venture, Envusa Energy, the cluster is located along the border of the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape provinces and combines wind and solar power generation to supply renewable electricity to industrial customers, including mining operations.

The Koruson 2 cluster consists of three renewable energy projects: the 140 MW Umsobomvu Wind Project, the 140 MW Hartebeesthoek Wind Project and the 240 MW Mooi Plaats solar photovoltaic (PV) plant. Together, the projects provide 520 MW of installed renewable energy capacity and form the first wave of developments under the Envusa Energy joint venture established by Anglo American and EDF power solutions.

All three projects are located within the Hydra supply area and connect to the new Koruson 400 kV Main Transmission Substation. The substation is being developed as part of EDF power solutions’ Koruson 1 project cluster, supporting the integration and transmission of renewable electricity into South Africa’s national grid.

Envusa Energy operates as the trading entity for the projects, aggregating the electricity generated and supplying it to mining customers through long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs). The offtakers have committed to purchasing renewable electricity over a 20-year period. Valterra Platinum has contracted 461 MW, Kumba Iron Ore has committed to 11 MW, and De Beers has secured 48 MW of capacity.

The projects are expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 2.2 million tonnes annually while helping participating mining companies reduce electricity costs and improve the sustainability of their operations. The development also supports the growing use of renewable energy in South Africa’s industrial sector by providing large-scale electricity through the national grid.

The Koruson 2 cluster includes local participation and community benefit arrangements. Local banks provided 85% of the debt financing required for the projects, highlighting the role of domestic financial institutions in supporting renewable energy infrastructure. Pele Green Energy holds a 20% equity stake across the three project companies, providing local ownership participation.

In addition, a community trust has been established to distribute a share of project revenues to surrounding communities throughout the projects’ 20-year operating life. This arrangement is intended to ensure that local communities receive long-term economic benefits from the renewable energy developments.

Koruson 2 forms part of Envusa Energy’s broader pipeline of wind and solar projects in South Africa. The joint venture plans to develop a renewable energy supply ecosystem combining generation facilities located at customer operations with electricity delivered from larger projects through the national grid.

The commissioning of the 520 MW cluster represents another step in expanding South Africa’s renewable energy capacity while supporting industrial decarbonization, local investment and community participation.