Renewable energy + industrial sustainability: Products + services
Progressing major solar PV projects
Achieving financial close on this major project was made possible with the support of Mulilo’s shareholders, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) and Norfund, and through close collaboration with its funding, legal and advisory partners – including Absa, Standard Bank, Investec and Nedbank, as well as Bowmans, PepperTree Capital, Fasken and Arup. “The Beaufort West Solar PV project is Mulilo’s first renewable energy project in the Western Cape and confirms Mulilo’s continuing commitment to driving South Africa’s energy transition. We are pleased to have worked alongside NOA to bring this project to financial close, with a shared commitment to quality and long- term value creation. Delivering reliable, clean power at scale, we are addressing the country’s immediate energy needs and paving the way for a sustainable and prosperous future.” said Jan Fourie, CEO of Mulilo. Karel Cornelissen, Group Chief Executive Oicer at NOA, commented: “Mulilo is a partner with proven ability to deliver high-quality renewable projects, and this financial close reflects the strength of our collaboration and shared ambition. With this transaction, NOA’s diversified portfolio now approaches 1.5 GW of generation capacity in construction and development across owned assets and strategic otake partnerships, enabling us to connect reliable renewable energy to commercial and industrial customers that need certainty and long-term supply.”
Mulilo has announced successful financial close on the 380 MWdc Beaufort West Solar PV facility, one of South Africa’s largest utility- scale solar photovoltaic (PV) developments, located near Beaufort West in the Western Cape. With an installed capacity of 380 MWdc and a contracted export capacity of 250 MWac, the facility will connect to the Droërivier main transmission substation, enabling eicient integration into the national grid. This is the fourth project Mulilo has brought to financial close since the start of 2026, following successful financial closure on the Orkney Solar PV project in North West Province, and the Middlepunt Solar PV project and Mercury BESS project in the Free State. With the addition of the Beaufort West Solar PV project, Mulilo is ahead of its target to deploy 1 GW of renewable energy projects annually, bringing its total portfolio – across already-operational and construction phases – to over 2 GW. This reflects the company’s rapid expansion as a leading player in the renewable energy sector. The Beaufort West solar PV project, once operational, is expected to generate around 818 GWh of clean electricity annually, sold to commercial and industrial customers across South Africa through a multi-year Power Purchase Agreement with NOA. That is enough electricity to power about 345 000 households annually, and it means an estimated 860 000 tonnes of CO»-equivalent emissions will be avoided per year. Bolobedu solar power plant commissioning 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 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 and in South Africa’s energy transition. 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 MW. 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.
For more information visit: www.mulilo.co.za
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. Reflecting a shared commitment to transformation and local development, the Bolobedu 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.
For more information visit: www.riotinto.com
RBM Managing Director Werner Duvenhage said: “Commissioning of the Bolobedu Solar Farm marks 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 Oicer Robert Klein commented: “The delivery of the first megawatt-hours
The Bolobedu Solar Farm is part of RBM’s broader portfolio of projects aimed at reducing its operations’ GHG emissions.
20 Electricity + Control JUNE 2026
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker