ENGIE launches two solar power plants in South Africa

ENGIE announces the construction of two solar photovoltaic power plants in South Africa, marking a major step forward in the country's renewable energy program.

Share:

ENGIE has reached a key milestone with the commercial closing of two solar photovoltaic projects in South Africa. These projects are part of the Bid Window Five (BW5) of South Africa’s Renewable Energy Producers Independent Power Purchase Program (REIPPPP). This follows the signing of the power purchase and implementation agreements with Eskom and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy in December 2022.

The two plants, Grootspruit PV and Graspan Solar PV, will each have a contracted capacity of 75 MW. ENGIE will build and operate the facilities in partnership with Pele Green Energy. Grootspruit PV will be erected in the Free State province, while Graspan Solar PV will be built in the Northern Cape province. Construction will start in early 2024 and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025.

ENGIE’s commitment in South Africa

Mohamed Hoosen, CEO of ENGIE South Africa and Managing Director of Renewables for Asia, Middle East and Africa, expressed his enthusiasm for the success of the BW5 projects. It underlines ENGIE’s commitment to South Africa’s long-term goals, as set out in the National Development Plan. ENGIE already operates more than 1 GW of energy in the country through its assets.

Contribution from Pele Green Energy

Gqi Raoleka, Managing Director of Pele Green Energy, shared his enthusiasm about this milestone in the partnership with ENGIE. He sees this as a significant contribution to the national agenda and a sustainable energy solution for South Africa.

Environmental and Energy Impact of Power Plants

These two solar power plants will enable ENGIE to generate up to 150 MW of clean, affordable and reliable electricity over 20 years. They are expected to reduce South Africa’s greenhouse gas emissions by 100,000 tonnes of CO2 per year, and help meet the electricity needs of around 80,000 South African households.

Other ENGIE projects in South Africa

ENGIE currently owns, operates and maintains two concentrated solar power (CSP) plants – Xina Solar One (100 MW) in Pofadder and Kathu Solar Park (100 MW) in Kathu. In addition, ENGIE owns and operates a West Coast 1 onshore wind farm (94 MW), two solar photovoltaic power plants, Aurora and Vredendal (21 MW), and two peak-load thermal power plants (Avon 670 MW and Dedisa 335 MW). The company is also finalizing the acquisition of BTE Renewables and working on the financial closing of the OYA hybrid project.

ENGIE’s initiative to develop two new solar photovoltaic power plants in South Africa represents a significant step in the country’s energy transition and in ENGIE’s strategy for a more sustainable future.

SAEL Industries will invest $954mn in a solar factory in Greater Noida, boosting Indian manufacturing capacity and supporting the national strategy to localise photovoltaic component production.
Global photovoltaic inverter shipments increased by 10% in 2024, driven by the Asia-Pacific region, which accounts for nearly seven out of ten shipments, while China consolidates its influence on the sector.
Arctech Brazil has received FINAME certification from the National Bank for Economic and Social Development, making financing more accessible for its solar trackers and consolidating its role in the Latin American solar market.
MN8 Energy completes a $575mn secured bond issue led by Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking to refinance project debt and support the development of a diversified solar portfolio in the United States.
Solargik strengthens its presence in Italy with 85 MW of photovoltaic projects, including partnerships with Revalue and Free Ingegneria, to deploy systems on steep and agricultural land previously considered unexploitable.
EDF power solutions commissions two new photovoltaic plants in Moselle, together representing a capacity of 72 MWp, capable of annually supplying electricity equivalent to 36,000 inhabitants, or 30% of the population of Metz.
Solar energy reached a record share of 22.1% in the European electricity mix in June 2025, becoming for the first time the main source of electricity in the European Union, according to a report by think tank Ember.
Abraxas Power Corp. receives unprecedented authorisation from Maldivian authorities to develop a 100 MW solar project within a new special economic zone, targeting energy security and national climate objectives.
GreenYellow and Meaders Feeds Ltd finalise a second 1.8 MWp solar project under the Carbon Neutral Industrial Sector Scheme aimed at decarbonising the Mauritian industrial sector.
The Lime Kiln project, developed by Chaberton Energy and Pivot Energy, will provide renewable energy to 500 homes and businesses in Maryland, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
MPC Energy Solutions has signed an agreement to sell its stake in the Planeta Rica solar project in Colombia. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2025.
EDF power solutions has commissioned the Aéroparc photovoltaic plant, with a capacity of 42.2 MWp, in the Territoire de Belfort, making a significant contribution to the region's energy transition.
The overproduction of solar energy in Europe is causing a drop in captured prices, undermining the profitability of producers. In Germany, Spain, and France, capture prices are at record lows, with profound economic consequences.
Altarea Energies Renouvelables has started work on its first ground-mounted photovoltaic plant in Caudecoste, marking a new milestone in its development. The 7 MWc plant is expected to be operational by the end of 2025.
Chinese manufacturer JinkoSolar has delivered three energy storage systems totalling 21.6 MWh to the American company Distributed Energy Infrastructure, as part of the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) programme aimed at strengthening local solar infrastructure.
TotalEnergies ENEOS has commissioned two photovoltaic installations totalling 1.2 MWp for marine logistics group Lee Huat Yap Kee in Singapore, under two long-term power purchase agreements with no upfront investment.
TCL Solar has concluded two exclusive partnerships in Suzhou with AU Solar and Madina Solar to supply 250 megawatts of photovoltaic modules to the Pakistani market, addressing rapidly growing local energy demand.
Mitrex secures Guinness Record for the largest integrated solar facade globally, combining photovoltaics and cultural art in Edmonton, covering over 30,000 square feet with installed capacity exceeding 265 kW.
EDF power solutions completes the acquisition of the 500MW Gate Burton solar-battery project from the company Low Carbon, strengthening its presence in hybrid photovoltaic-storage solutions in the United Kingdom.
The global photovoltaic films market is expected to see significant growth, reaching $41.59bn by 2034 due to the development of new solar technologies and the increasing demand for encapsulation suited to these innovations, a recent study indicates.