148 MW Solar power plant reaches commissioning in South Africa

Voltalia, an international player in renewable energies announces the full commissioning of the Bolobedu solar farm, located in South Africa’s Limpopo province.

This project, with a total installed capacity of 148 MW, is one of the largest in South Africa dedicated to meet the energy needs of a single company via Eskom Transmission Network through a wheeling agreement. It is part of a long-term contract (CPPA) with Richards Bay Minerals (RBM), South Africa’s world leader in heavy mineral sands extraction and refining and a subsidiary of the Anglo-Australian metals and mining group, Rio Tinto.

The farm will supply around 300 gigawatt-hours per year, helping reduce CO₂ emissions by more than 237,000 tonnes annually - an amount equivalent to the yearly electricity consumption of 425,000 inhabitants.

Voltalia thus reaffirms its commitment to generating sustainable economic and social benefits for the region whenever possible. As part of this innovative approach, Voltalia has partnered with two local women investors, making Bolobedu the first large-scale renewable energy project supported exclusively by women.

This milestone confirms Voltalia’s ability to support its clients in their energy transition and address supply security challenges.

South Africa has committed to an ambitious energy transition to reduce its dependence on coal, which still accounts for a significant share of its electricity generation. The country aims to massively develop renewable energy in order to secure its supply, reduce CO₂ emissions, and meet the climate objectives set under the Paris Agreement. This strategy is supported by partnerships with private and international stakeholders to accelerate the implementation of sustainable projects and strengthen the resilience of the power system.