ENGIE saw the groundbreaking of the Grootspruit solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant in South Africa’s Free State. The plant, set to operate at a 75 MW contracted capacity, will be built and operated in partnership with Pele Green Energy. Aurex and Ablon have been selected as the preferred contractors for this project.
Grootspruit is one of two PV power plants under construction in South Africa, reflecting a commitment to transitioning to a net zero environment. The other plant, the Graspan solar PV plant, will be located in the Northern Cape. Both plants are expected to be commissioned by the end of 2025, each contributing 75 MW to strengthening the South African electricity grid.
Mo Hoosen, CEO and ENGIE Managing Director of Renewables for Asia, Middle East & Africa, emphasized the importance of collaboration: “With more than 15 years of presence in the country and over 1.6 GW of multiple assets currently in operation, executing such significant projects requires extensive collaboration with partners like Pele Green Energy and the Free State Provincial Government, as well as numerous engineers, builders, and contractors. This significant investment aims to deliver invaluable assets for South Africa once these plants are completed next year.”
Ronald Chindeka, Head of Investment and Funding at Pele Green Energy, added, “We are proud of these projects not only for the power they will generate but also for the structural development they will bring to local communities and the country as a whole. Collaborating with ENGIE, who are dedicated to a genuine partnership in realizing these projects, is truly exciting.”
Together, the Grootspruit and Graspan plants are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in South Africa by 100,000 tons of CO2 per year, contributing to the electricity needs of approximately 80,000 South African households.