The 75 MW Grootspruit Solar PV plant in the Free State and the 75 MW Graspan Solar PV plant in the Northern Cape both reached commercial operation in February, 2026, marking successful delivery under Bid Window Five of South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). ENGIE South Africa has achieved significant milestones in its renewable energy delivery with the commercial operation of the two utility-scale solar photovoltaic plants.
These plants add 150 MW of solar capacity to the national grid. Also, joined by the Bolobedu solar farm, they will contribute to the broader expansion of solar generation nationwide. “These two plants reinforce our commitment to the addition of new megawatts in collaboration with local partners, stakeholders, and community members,” said Mo Hoosen, ENGIE South Africa CEO & MD for Renewables and Batterie AMEA. “Bringing Grootspruit and Graspan into commercial operation strengthens South Africa’s energy supply today, while building the foundation for future market evolution.”
Together, the two solar plants will reduce approximately 100 000 tons of CO2 greenhouse emissions each year, supporting South Africa’s energy transition and carbon neutrality goals and contribute towards meeting electricity needs of around 80 000 South African households.
These operational milestones follow additional momentum in ENGIE South Africa’s pipeline. The company has been named the preferred bidder for the Corona Solar PV project under Bid Window Seven of the REIPPPP. ENGIE is also pre-qualified as one of seven bidders for South Africa’s first Independent Transmission Projects (ITP) procurement programme, signalling its intent to contribute to both generation and grid evolution.
“Generation and transmission must develop together if South Africa is to unlock new capacity at the pace required. Our participation in Bid Window Seven and the ITP programme positions ENGIE to contribute across the full energy value chain, from new renewable generation to the transmission infrastructure that enables it.”
“Grootspruit and Graspan moving into commercial operation is not the end of a journey. It is the start of the next chapter. We remain a committed partner for investing, building, and operating energy infrastructure that supports national growth, strengthens communities, and delivers clean power for decades to come,” concluded Hoosen.
July 22, 2024
French independent power producer Engie has begun construction of the 75 MW Grootspruit solar PV power plant that will be built and operated in conjunction with Pele Green Energy. Grootspruit in the Free State is one of two PV power plants to be developed by Engie as part of Bid Window 5 of the South Africa Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme, other plant is the 75MW Graspan solar power plant that will be developed in the Northern Cape. These two plants are planned to be commissioned before the end of the year 2025.
Scope
These are some of the plans that we have set our sight on to assist in bolstering the energy security in South Africa. With our over fifteen years operation in the country with over one billion population. 6 GW of multiple assets currently in operation, we understand that to work on such a big project one has to consult and collaborate with many partners such as Pele Green Energy Company and the Free State provincial government or many engineers, builders, contractors, etc.
Ronald Chindeka said, “We are excited about Grootspruit and Graspan Solar Power Plant given their contribution towards power generation and general development of the region,” noting that working with engie who we believe is genuine in the partnership we are entering into is an honor.
“Engie has expressed a lot of pride over this huge investment that it is making in order to provide vital resources for South Africa once these plants are complete next year,” said Engie South Africa CEO and Renewables for Asia, Middle East, and Africa MD Mo Hoosen. “We are proud of these projects not only because of the power that will be generated but also the structural development that will be imparted on the local communities and the country at large. ” This is Green Energy investment and funding head Pele Ronald Chindeka.
Contractors
Below are the following preferred contractors for this project namely Aurex Constructors and Ablon Construction.
The company has been serving the community for years, making it an honor to partner with them as we work towards the realization of the South Africa vision on clean energy.
In the same way, Aurex’s award of the design and construction of the Grootspruit solar project show a clear path of our endeavor to offer sustainable solutions to south Africa’s energy problems. This project signifies our commitment and vision to a sustainable energy transition plan that fosters employment in skills learning for residents of the region,” remarked Kent, Aurex’s Chief Executive Officer.
It struck Ablon Construction which is based and operating locally for the past 24 years to be part of the groundbreaking ceremony for the Grootspruit PV solar farm . ‘It is with honour and enthusiasm that as a company involved in the Grootspruit PV solar farm project, we stand to contribute to all corporate players toward a fruitful venture in providing clean energy to South Africa,’ said Lizelle Pike, the company’s contracts
Grootspruit and Graspan Solar Power Plant combined are anticipated to cut on greenhouse-gas emission in South Africa by 100 000 t/y of CO2.
Factsheet
Grootspruit Solar PV
Location: Welkom, Free State
Capacity: 75 MW
Annual Gen: 183 GWh
Total Investment: ZAR 1.4 Billion
Graspan Solar PV
Location: Graspan, Northern Cape
Capacity: 75MW
Total investment: ZAR 1.4 Billion
Annual Gen: 180+ GWh
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