LUSAKA, ZAMBIA — French renewable energy provider Voltalia has officially commissioned a 148-megawatt solar power plant in South Africa, a move aimed at addressing the nation’s energy crisis. The Bolobedu solar farm, located in Limpopo province, now supplies around 300 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually to Richards Bay Minerals, a Rio Tinto subsidiary.
The project is indicative of a broader trend as companies seek to move away from the unreliable national grid. By adopting private renewable energy deals, these businesses aim to stabilize their electricity supply, reduce costs, and meet environmental targets. The solar farm’s electricity will be transmitted via Eskom’s grid using a wheeling system, ensuring the mine receives power without a direct connection.
South Africa, despite its heavy reliance on coal for power, continues to face disruptions due to outages and load — shedding. This has spurred energy-intensive sectors like mining to pursue private renewable energy solutions. Voltalia’s initiative is expected to cut carbon emissions by over 237,000 tonnes annually, contributing to the decarbonization of mining operations, a critical step in reducing Africa’s pollution levels.
The construction of the solar farm created local employment, with around 800 workers, including many young people and women, being employed. Training in solar installation and technical support was provided, fostering skills development in a sector with potential for growth across the continent.
The Bolobedu solar farm project is part of a surge in private energy partnerships in South Africa. Companies are increasingly signing long-term renewable power agreements to safeguard their operations from grid instability and to align with global climate commitments. Voltalia CEO Robert Klein emphasized the company’s commitment to decarbonization and inclusive energy transition with the completion of the Bolobedu project.
Source: Africa.businessinsider
Original author: Ayodeji Adegboyega
