South Africa: Solar farm tops 81,000 panels milestone

Once complete, the plant is expected to generate around 325GWh of electricity annually

Construction of a 120MW solar photovoltaic (PV) project in the North West Province, South Africa, has reached a major milestone with the installation of more than 81,000 solar panels.

The Doornhoek PV project in Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality, was awarded under Bid Window 6 of South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). 

It is being developed by Dubai-based AMEA Power, which holds the majority shareholding, in partnership with Ziyanda Energy and Dzimuzwo Energy, both wholly owned by African women.

Once complete, the plant is expected to generate around 325GWh of electricity annually. It is estimated the solar plant will power around 97,000 households and offset around 330,000 tonnes of carbon emissions, once operational. 

The project has been backed by a 20-year power purchase agreement with Eskom, signed in April 2024, and represents an investment of more than $120 million.

Developers expect the full build-out to involve the deployment of more than 220,000 panels across the site.

Solar project’s job creation drive in South Africa

South Africa‘s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) pointed out last year that South African entity participation in this project and the Virginia Solar Park in the Lejweleputswa District in the Free State Province projects is 49% each and both together will attract a total investment of R4.9 billion to the country.

The two projects committed to a total of 2,045 job opportunities (“measured in job years” according to DMRE) which includes 859 jobs during construction and 1,175 in operations.

“The projects have also committed a total amount of R389 million to be spent on skills development, supplier development, enterprise development and socio-economic initiatives in the communities within which they will be located, over their 20-year lifetime,” said the DMRE.

Last June, AMEA Power said the project is expected to commence commercial operations by December 2025.

Cover photo:  sofiiashunkina©123rf