300 MW/660 MWh Hybrid Solar and Battery Energy Project Achieves Financial Close in South Africa

SOLA Group has reached financial close and begun construction on the Naos-1 hybrid solar and battery energy project with corporate partners Sasol and Air Liquide, near Viljoenskroon in South Africa's Free State province.

The Naos-1 Hybrid Solar and Battery Project comprises a 300 MW (435 MWp) solar photovoltaic plant paired with 660 MWh of battery energy storage (BESS), underpinned by 25‑year power purchase agreements with Sasol and Air Liquide. Fully developed, engineered, constructed and to be operated by SOLA Group, Naos-1 represents the largest privately contracted hybrid renewable energy project to achieve financial close in South Africa to date. Commercial operations are scheduled to commence in 2028.

Naos-1 is the first in a broader pipeline of projects being deployed by SOLA Group, incorporating battery storage to provide affordable, clean electricity to businesses across South Africa while flexibly responding to evolving supply and demand conditions. With this development, the group’s portfolio of projects in operation and under construction exceeds 1 GW DC, of which 600 MW is already operational. The project developer is SOLA Assets, and the EPC contractor is a joint venture between SOLA Build and WBHO.