On July 22nd South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, announced that the nation has over 22,500MW of upcoming renewable energy projects.
The projects, anticipated to total around ZAR 400bn, are expected to stimulate the economy and attract new private investment.
In his speech, Ramaphosa stated: “South Africa is undergoing a renewable energy revolution that is expected to be the most significant driver of growth and job creation in the next decade and beyond.
“We will see more of these projects taking shape across our country in the months and years to come. As these investments reach fruition more jobs will be created.”
Ramaphosa cited South Africa’s largest private solar energy project, based in the Northern Cape, which is set to generate 248MW to the grid using 390,000 solar panels.
Investing in solar
Independent power producer Engie has partnered with Pele Green Energy to build the 75MW Grootspruit solar plant: comprised of two projects in the Northern Cape (75MW Graspan solar PV plant) and the Free State.
“We have seen, for example, how the Northern Cape has already attracted billions of rands of investment in renewable energy projects,” noted Ramaphosa in his speech.
Aurex, the selected contractors for the projects, commented through their CEO Stuart Kent: This project [Grootsruit] is a testament to our dedication to supporting a just energy transition, creating local jobs, and advancing skills development.”
Both projects are expected to be completed in late 2025 and are anticipated to cut greenhouse gas emissions in South Africa by 200,000 tons of CO2 per annum.
Despite this announcement, the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa introduced a 10% import tariff on solar panels in early July, prompting concerns from the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association.
