The Grootspruit PV and Graspan Solar PV projects are a pair of 75MW solar photovoltaic facilities developed under Bid Window 5 of South Africa’s REIPPPP, located in the Free State and Northern Cape respectively. Since the original article reported financial close and an anticipated 2024 construction start, both plants have progressed through full construction and entered commercial operation. ENGIE South Africa confirmed in February 2026 that both facilities had achieved commercial operation status, together adding 150MW of clean solar capacity to the national grid ahead of any further delays.
Graspan Inaugurated, ENGIE Eyes Bid Window 7 and Transmission Contracts
The Graspan plant held its official public inauguration ceremony on 21 April 2026 in the Northern Cape, attended by Siyancuma local municipality mayor Patrick McKlein alongside government representatives and project partners, even though the facility had already been supplying electricity to the grid for several months at that point. The event came amid a much broader acceleration in South Africa’s state-backed renewable energy rollout, highlighted by Eskom Green’s groundbreaking on the R1.2 billion 75MW solar project at Lethabo Power Station in the Free State, one of the first major utility-scale solar developments being integrated directly into Eskom’s coal station footprint. ENGIE has since named Sanjeev Mungroo as its renewables and batteries managing director to lead the next phase of South African delivery. Looking ahead, the company has been selected as preferred bidder for the Corona Solar PV project under REIPPPP Bid Window 7, and has also pre-qualified as one of seven bidders for South Africa’s inaugural Independent Transmission Projects procurement programme, signalling intent to expand from generation into grid infrastructure development.
Project Overview
- Project Name: Grootspruit Solar PV Plant and Graspan Solar PV Plant
- Location: Grootspruit: Matjhabeng, Lejweleputswa District, Free State; Graspan: Northern Cape Province
- Developer/Owner: ENGIE South Africa in partnership with Pele Green Energy
- Total Cost/Value: Grootspruit: approximately ZAR 1.4 billion (US$76 million); Graspan: not publicly disclosed
- Scale/Capacity: 75MW per plant; 150MW combined
- Construction Start: Mid 2024 (both plants)
- Expected Completion: End of 2025 (original target); commercial operation achieved February 2026
- Funding/Financing: ENGIE corporate financing; IFC extended a EUR 500 million loan to ENGIE in 2024 to support renewable energy projects in South Africa
- Current Status: Both plants fully operational and supplying power to the national grid
- Key Milestone: Graspan officially inaugurated on 21 April 2026; ENGIE named preferred bidder for Corona Solar PV under REIPPPP Bid Window 7
Project Team
- ENGIE South Africa — Developer, Owner and Operator (both plants)
- Pele Green Energy — Co-developer and equity partner (both plants)
- Aurex Constructors — EPC Contractor (Grootspruit)
- Ablon Construction — EPC Joint Venture Partner (Grootspruit)
- Knowledge Pele RDC (Pele Energy subsidiary) — Community economic development structures
- Eskom — Offtaker under Power Purchase Agreement
- Department of Mineral Resources and Energy — Regulatory authority and implementation agreement signatory
- International Finance Corporation (IFC) — Financing support via EUR 500 million loan facility to ENGIE (2024)
- Siyancuma Local Municipality — Host municipality, Graspan plant
Reported 9th December 2023: Pele Green Energy (PGE), an independent power producer, in South Africa, attained the financial close stage for two solar projects, Grootspruit PV and Graspan Solar PV in south Africa in bid window 5 of the REIPPPP programme. The company states that it has signing agreements for power purchase and implementation contracts with Eskom and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.
location of the project
Grootspruit PV plant would be done in the Free state and construction of Graspan solar PV would be done in North Cape. These two 150MW IPP projects have been contracted with Engie partnering with Pele green energy for construction services.
It further stated that Knowledge Pele RDC of Pele Energy was going be responsible for formulation of economic development structures of the two communities.
Ronald Chindeka, head of investments and funding for PGE, says: This is yet another achievement in government’s renewable programme and as a South African IPP, we are very proud about it.
Commencement date
Construction of Grootspruit PV and Graspan Solar PV in south Africa will commence in year 2024 and the plants will be ready by the end of year 2025 as stated by PGE.
Léa Giroux, senior business developer at Engie Southern Africa, comments: The commencement of South Africa’s green electricity begins with these two significant solar initiatives.
Total Capacity
In addition, Pele Green Energy has a portfolio of 2 076 MW of different projects including those under financial closure, construction and operational phases.
Curiosity sets in on how the solar plants change with regards to renewable energy and human settlements. Adhila Mayet, head of project development for Pele Green Energy, concludes: Therefore, by generating power, as well as setting up a community trust, the two solar PV power plants will be adding value upon the lives of Grootspurt and Graspan communities’ people.
Also read Groundbreaking for a Significant R3 Billion Solar Project in South Africa
About Ablon Construction
Ablon Construction is a South African electrical infrastructure and renewable energy specialist with more than 26 years of experience delivering complex EPC and gridworks projects across the country.
The company specializes in the design, supply, construction and commissioning of substations, overhead power lines, and fibre optic installations up to 132kV, supported by a highly experienced management team and skilled workforce. Since mid-2020, Ablon has also established a dedicated PV construction division specialising in the complete turnkey construction of solar PV plants, further strengthening the company’s renewable energy capabilities. Having participated in the REIPPPP programme since Round 1 and completed more than 30 REIPPP projects to date, Ablon continues to play a key role in advancing South Africa’s renewable energy and grid infrastructure objectives.
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