Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) and international renewable energy company Voltalia recently announced the commissioning of the Bolobedu Solar Farm, located in South Africa’s Limpopo Province. In a statement released 8 April 2026, RBM reported the first megawatt-hours of green electricity had been successfully fed into the national grid – marking a key milestone in the long-term partnership between both companies South Africa’s energy transition.
The Bolobedu Solar Farm is part of RBM’s broader portfolio of projects aimed at reducing its operations’ GHG emissions.
Following the agreement signed in 2022, Voltalia and its local Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) partners have built the plant to provide a total installed capacity of 148 megawatts. Once fully operational, it will reduce RBM’s annual baseline greenhouse gas emissions by at least 10%, that is about 237 000 tonnes per year.
This is one of the largest solar plants in South Africa dedicated to meet the energy needs of a single company and represents a critical step forward for RBM in its commitment to sustainable mining into the future as part of the recently approved Zulti South project.
The renewable power is supplied to RBM’s KwaZulu-Natal operations through a wheeling arrangement via the Eskom Transmission network.
RBM Managing Director Werner Duvenhage said: “Commissioning of the Bolobedu Solar Farm is a defining moment for RBM as we celebrate 50 years of operations in South Africa. This initiative is not just about energy security but is also about the long-term sustainability of the business. As we break ground on Zulti South, the Bolobedu project paves the way for a cleaner energy future, contributing to the national power grid and our global decarbonisation targets.”
Voltalia Chief Executive Officer Robert Klein commented: “The delivery of the first megawatt-hours from Bolobedu illustrates our commitment to accelerating the decarbonisation of industries and supporting an inclusive energy transition in South Africa involving local communities.”
This initiative is part of RBM’s broader portfolio of renewable energy projects, including wind power purchase agreements, which together are expected to reduce the operation’s Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by around 60% compared to a 2018 baseline.
Further project highlights
- Reflecting a shared commitment to transformation and local development, the project is the first large-scale renewable energy initiative in the region to involve exclusively local women investors, ensuring that the transition to green energy creates direct equity and wealth for the host communities.
- Beyond its technical achievements, the Bolobedu Solar Farm is already delivering benefits for the broader community. During construction, around 800 residents from the three host communities were employed, including 56% youth and 21% women. Local workers received on‑the‑job training in engineering support, solar panel installation and HSE awareness, providing many with their first formal employment opportunities.
- The project has also stimulated a growing local value chain, supporting transport cooperatives, women‑led catering services and handicraft initiatives. These socio‑economic impacts, combined with long‑term skills development programmes, illustrate Voltalia’s commitment to an inclusive and sustainable energy transition in Bolobedu.
For more information visit: www.riotinto.com
