Renewable energy: Projects
Partnership project to generate more renewable energy for SA businesses
expanding our renewable energy capacity and contributing to the country’s economic growth and sustainable development,” says Wayne Cowie, CEO of EXSA. The project reflects the growing importance of solar energy in South Africa’s energy mix. As the country transitions towards cleaner energy sources, partnerships like this play an important role in driving progress. “Collaborating with EXSA enables us to develop our solar projects in South Africa further. We’re excited about the potential for growth and the positive impact this project will have on the environment and local economy,” says François van Themaat, co- founder and Director of SPS. As EXSA grows its renewable energy portfolio, this project is an example of how partnerships can unlock innovative, cost-e§ective solutions in an evolving energy market. Note: [1] In South Africa, RETEC testing is the process of verifying that a renewable power plant complies with the national grid code requirements before it can be connected and operate on the electricity grid. The testing is performed by or overseen by the Renewable Energy Technical Evaluation Committee (RETEC), a technical team within the System Operator (Eskom or the local municipality).
Energy Exchange of Southern Africa (EXSA) has partnered with Sustainable Power Solutions (SPS) on Slimun Too Solar IPP, a solar project set to deliver clean, a§ordable energy to South Africa’s grid. The 5 600 kWp solar farm will generate around 12 million kWh of clean energy annually. Spanning 10 hectares, the project forms part of the larger SlimSun Swartland Solar Park located near Malmesbury in the Swartland Municipality of the Western Cape. SPS serves as both the Independent Power Producer (IPP) and Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor, with Investec providing financial backing for the R87 million project. EXSA has entered into a 10-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with SPS. By October 2025, Phase 1 of the project was in the final commissioning stage, following approval of the Eskom grid connection. RETEC testing [1] was in progress, and the plant is soon to begin supplying renewable power directly through EXSA, o§ering South African businesses greater access to clean energy. An additional phase has been contracted by the parties to double the Slimsun Too capacity to 10 MW. With financial close achieved, construction is scheduled to get under way in the coming months. Together, these phases mark a significant step towards meeting South Africa’s growing demand for a§ordable, sustainable power. “This project demonstrates our commitment to advancing South Africa’s Just Energy Transition. Partnering with SPS, we are
For more information visit EXSA: https://exsa.co.za Or SPS (Sustainable Power Solutions): https://sps.africa
Namibia’s first renewable energy wheeling project
Mine, some 20 km away. NamPower’s MSB programme allows private Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to sell electricity directly to large customers and supply it using the national grid. This supports energy security and independent power generation and opens up the potential of wheeling in driving the country’s transition to clean renewable energy. Francois van Themaat, co-founder and Director of SPS said: “The Maxwell Solar Plant is a big step forward in opening up access to Namibia’s grid. It demonstrates that wheeling under the MSB Programme works and shows how private producers and corporate o§takers can collaborate with NamPower to accelerate renewable energy deployment.” The project reflects the combined e§orts of several stakeholders. B2Gold, Namibia’s largest gold producer, has steadily increased its use of renewable energy since 2015, when it relied entirely on heavy fuel oil. “B2Gold aims to be Namibia’s leader in renewable energy- powered mining. This also supports our global target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030,” said John Roos, Country Manager for B2Gold Namibia. The Oelofse family, owners of Maxwell Farm and co-investors in the project, brought a conservation-driven philosophy and the land to the initiative. Fortitude played a critical advisory role as property developer, coordinating stakeholder engagement, and providing strategic guidance through every stage of the project. “Maxwell Solar is a milestone for SPS as well as for Namibia and Africa,” said van Themaat. “It shows that bold ideas, strong partnerships, and trust can deliver real change.”
In another new development Sustainable Power Solutions (SPS), in partnership with B2Gold Namibia, the Oelofse family and Fortitude, in the last quarter of 2025 successfully commissioned Namibia’s first solar wheeling project under NamPower’s Modified Single Buyer (MSB) Programme. The Maxwell Solar Plant represents a groundbreaking step in Namibia’s transition to renewable energy and serves as a model for future public- private power partnerships. The 10 MW Maxwell Solar Plant, located on Maxwell Farm about 50 km North of Otjiwarongo, is the first project wheeling renewable energy that has been successfully commissioned under NamPower’s MSB programme. Power from the Maxwell Solar Plant delivers clean renewable energy to B2Gold’s Otjikoto The project reflects the combined efforts of diverse stakeholders including: B2Gold, SPS, the Oelofse family – owners of Maxwell Farm, and NamPower.
For more information visit: https://sps.africa
20 Electricity + Control DEC 2025 - JAN 2026
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