Leading independent power producer, the SOLA Group, achieved Commercial Operations Date (COD) for its Springbok Solar Power Project in Virginia, in the Free State, ahead of schedule. This was celebrated with the official opening of the plant on 28 October 2025. The195 megawatt peak (MWp) facility is a multi-buyer, flexible energy project and a significant development in large-scale private renewable energy procurement in Africa.
SOLA Group officially opened its Springbok Solar Power Plant on 28 October 2025, ahead of schedule.
The Springbok project increases SOLA’s operational portfolio to 464 MWp, establishing it as South Africa’s largest operational provider of private power contracts. The project will deliver clean energy to anchor buyers Amazon and Sibanye-Stillwater, as well as several additional buyers operating across different industries.
A flexible energy model
The Springbok project is pioneering a flexible multi-buyer platform, enabling a cross-section of major South African corporate buyers to procure clean energy from a single source. The project engages multiple buyers on a flexible bilateral basis without the additional costs raised by a trading entity. This model contributes to accelerating the energy transition for the private sector and managing risk across the grid.
The power generated by the project will be wheeled across the Eskom transmission network to serve multiple offtakers under long-term and short-term rolling Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). The clients include global and local industry leaders such as Amazon (the original anchor buyer), Sibanye Stillwater (anchor buyer and one of the largest off-takers on the project), Sasol, Afrimat, Redefine, Old Mutual, Vodacom, Rio Tinto, BRM Brands, and others.
The project also represents South Africa’s first operational virtual wheeling PPA, with Vodacom leveraging the flexible model to source power for its operations, setting a precedent for municipal-level energy procurement.
In terms of scale, the 195 MWp facility will generate over 430 000 MWh of clean energy annually, enough to power around 50 000 South African households and offsetting an estimated 399 000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year (reportedly the equivalent of planting 6.5 million trees).
BESS integration
The SOLA Group is building on this development to advance its next phase of utility-scale projects, which will introduce substantial co-located Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) capacity.
The Naos 1 and Nyala solar and storage projects (located respectively in Viljoenskroon and Welkom in the Free State) are set to deliver 770 MW of generation capacity coupled with BESS configurations providing over 1.5 GWh of dispatchable power. These projects will be among the largest private solar and battery storage facilities in Africa, designed to provide flexible, firm, and dispatchable power, moving beyond solar energy on its own to address the needs for continuous, reliable power supply.
Community investment
The SOLA Group’s commitment to sustainability and shared value is further reflected in the project’s support for local communities. To date, more than R375 million has been invested in nearby communities, creating employment opportunities for around 500 permanent and part-time workers.
The community investment programmes are designed to create lasting impact in the host communities. For example, in the Sports Against Crime initiative, tournaments with local schools provide young people with safe, structured activities that encourage healthy living, build confidence, and strengthen resilience, steering them away from negative influences.
In addition, a successful sewing and fashion programme in Matjhabeng Municipality has assisted unemployed learners to build a livelihood. In 2024, 47 participants graduated with recognised qualifications, and each received their own sewing machine, so they are equipped with the skills and tools to start their own businesses or secure employment in the textile sector. SOLA intends to continue to support and fund local community initiatives in the area during the operational phase of the project.
Strategic value
The timely delivery of the Springbok project comes as South Africa’s private generation sector is driving significant market activity. Current industry estimates show that private sector renewable energy capacity is expected to add some 6 GW of solar photovoltaic (PV) and 4 GW of wind power to national supply by 2030, confirming the shift toward a diversified energy mix.
The wheeling framework is central to this growth, allowing large-scale projects located in renewables resource-rich areas with grid connection availability to supply power to customers nationwide.
“The Springbok Solar Power Project provides a blueprint for the future of large-scale private energy in South Africa,” said Jonathan Skeen, Managing Director, Commercial, at SOLA Group. “By successfully integrating multiple buyers with diverse contracting needs, we are demonstrating that renewable energy can be delivered reliably, flexibly, and at the necessary scale to support economic growth and decarbonisation goals.”
For more information visit: https://solagroup.co.za/