Voltalia Commissions 148MW Solar Farm in South Africa

Voltalia has announced the commissioning of the 148-megawatt Bolobedu solar farm in Limpopo province, South Africa, marking a major milestone in the country’s renewable energy drive.

In a press release seen by AEP, it said the project, one of the largest dedicated to a single corporate client, will supply electricity to Richards Bay Minerals under a long-term power purchase agreement using Eskom’s transmission network. It is expected to generate about 300 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually while significantly cutting carbon emissions.

Voltalia said the solar farm would reduce emissions by over 237,000 tonnes yearly, equivalent to the power consumption of about 425,000 people, supporting South Africa’s efforts to transition from coal to cleaner energy sources.

The company also highlighted the project’s socio-economic impact, noting that about 800 local residents were employed during construction. It added that local businesses benefited, while training programmes helped develop skills in solar installation, engineering support, and safety practices.

Chief Executive Officer Robert Klein said the project underscores Voltalia’s commitment to sustainable energy and industrial decarbonisation, while also promoting inclusive growth through partnerships with local investors and communities.

He said, “The full commissioning of Bolobedu, the first large-scale photovoltaic project of this kind developed in South Africa for a private client, illustrates our commitment to accelerating the decarbonisation of industries and supporting an inclusive energy transition in the country, in close partnership with local communities.”

Werner Duvenhage, Managing Director of RBM, added: “The 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 also about the long-term sustainability of our mining operations. As we break ground on Zulti South, this initiative paves the way for a cleaner energy future, contributing to both the national power grid and our global decarbonization targets.”