The Independent power producer Pele Green Energy (PGE) has reached a financial close 100MW Sonvanger Solar PV power plant. This solar project is expected to produce clean energy that will be utilised at the Glencore Merafe Venture’s ferrochrome smelters in the Free State Province.
Pele Green Energy is the main sponsor of the Sonvanger Solar PV plant. This solar plant is located 4 kilometres south-west of Theunissen in the Masilonyana local municipality.
“We are very delighted to make an announcement of this development at Glencore Merafe Venture. This solar project is in keeping with the purpose of Glencore which entails sourcing responsibly the commodities that advance everyday life and generally providing support to the broader climate strategy of the venture,” the CEO of Glencore Ferroalloys, Japie Fullard.
Also read: Construction of South Africa’s Largest Solar Project Commences
100MW Sonvanger Solar PV Project Set to Transform the Future of Mining
“The approach of Glencore Merafe Venture to this project shows a dedicated commitment to addressing its overall scope 2 emissions from industrial operations. This signifies how the sustainable practices are very key to the future of mining. This collaboration underscores a shared vision for a low-carbon future.”
“Glencore Merafe Venture is dedicated to cutting its overall environmental impact and opting to do so in collaboration with a South African IPP clearly demonstrates a joint perspective with our goals and visions at PGE. We are very delighted to be part of achieving these crucial sustainability milestones for this particular industry,” the CEO of PGE Gqi Raoleka added.
Similar Projects
In another similar project, the South African data centre company Teraco made an announcement that it had commenced constructing a 120MW utility-scale solar PV. This project is located in South Free State Province.
Moreover, Teraco will own this 120MW solar PV plant and will distribute this renewable energy to its data centres. The main plan here is to come up with their own source of sustainable energy. This solar plant is expected to come online in the end of the year 2026.
Teraco is partnering with both JUWI and Subsolar to develop this solar project. JUWI has been tasked with the design and managing the procurement, construction, and commissioning.
Also read: Eskom Greenlights 1 Gigawatt Solar Project in South Africa
South Africa: A Powerhouse for Solar Energy Production in the World
South Africa is among the countries in the world that possesses highest levels of solar production capability. This is attributed to the fact that most areas in the country receive over 2,500 hours of sunshine annually. The solar radiation levels range between 4.5 and 6.5kWh/m2 in a day.
It is quite interesting to note that South Africa possessed the largest solar energy capacity in Africa as per 2023. The country’s solar capacity amounted to over 6GW. It was followed by Egypt that had a capacity of approximately of 1.9GW. Coming in at third place.
With just a look at the margin that South Africa has left Egypt and Morocco with, it is quite clear that indeed the country is a solar power powerhouse in Africa and globally.
