The Sola Group has announced the start of commercial operations at its Springbok Solar Power Project in the Free State, marking a breakthrough for large-scale renewable energy procurement in Africa. The 195MW solar photovoltaic facility, delivered ahead of schedule, is the continent’s only operational flexible multi-buyer energy wheeling facility.
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At full capacity, the project will generate ∼430 GWh of energy annually, enough to power 150,000 homes and offset 399,000 tonnes of CO2. Sola noted the facility is a crucial step in modernizing South Africa’s grid infrastructure.
The success of the multi-buyer platform hinged on the long-term commitment of its anchor buyer, Amazon. James Hickman, AWS Country Manager for South Africa, praised the collaboration for advancing sustainability goals and “pioneer[ing] new models for corporate renewable energy procurement in Africa.
The facility is designed for multiple private corporate clients, offering flexible contracting and long-term savings. Beyond Amazon, prominent anchor buyer Sibanye-Stillwater and other major organizations, including Rio Tinto, Redefine, Old Mutual, Vodacom, Sasol, Afrimat, and BRM Brands, are also purchasing electricity.
Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Richard Stewart called the project a key milestone in the miner’s journey toward energy independence and decarbonization.
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The Springbok facility is also delivering South Africa’s first virtual wheeling power purchase agreement with Vodacom. Sola stated this is a significant innovation that allows companies on Eskom’s low-voltage networks or municipally connected areas—who previously lacked access to bulk clean energy—to participate in the market.
This project is the fourth large-scale private wheeling operation brought online by the Sola Group, bringing its total operational portfolio to 464MWp. Sola has already invested R375 million in local communities, creating opportunities for 500 permanent and part-time employees. The company plans to break ground on future projects in 2025 and 2026, which will include significant Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) capacity to reliably offset expensive peak power.
