Voltalia wins PPA for 148 MW solar PV project in Limpopo

Voltalia and Richards Bay Minerals (RBM), a subsidiary of Rio Tinto, have signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) for the 148 MW Bolobedu solar photovoltaic (PV) project in the Limpopo region of north-eastern South Africa.

The solar farm will provide around 300 GWh of renewable energy to RBM's smelting and processing operations in KwaZulu-Natal annually via a wheeling arrangement. With this PPA, RBM will reduce its yearly greenhouse gas emissions by at least 10%, or 237,000 tons per year, which is equivalent to eliminating almost 50,000 automobiles from the road.

It is anticipated that Bolobedu will generate enough green electricity to meet the annual electrical needs of more than 425,000 people. Voltalia will oversee the plant's design, construction, and operation. It is anticipated to begin producing electricity in 2024.