The SunCentral Solar Project is a landmark 1GW utility-scale solar photovoltaic development located between Hanover and De Aar in the Northern Cape, South Africa, developed by SolarAfrica Energy (a subsidiary of Starsight Energy Africa Group) as the country’s largest commercial and industrial wheeling solar project, designed to deliver 100% green power at up to 50% below utility tariffs to a wide pool of South African businesses via virtual power purchase agreements (VPPAs) — a pioneering “one-to-many” wheeling model rather than the conventional one generator-to-one customer arrangement. Construction officially commenced with a groundbreaking ceremony on June 19, 2025, with SunCentral 1 (114MW) now under construction by EPC contractors Proconics and Sinohydro, and SunCentral 2 (114MW) reaching financial close in February 2026 with first power targeted for 2026, bringing Phase 1 to 228MW and paving the way for Phase 1’s full 342MW upon financial close of SunCentral 3. SunCentral’s phased rollout is advancing alongside an even larger record-breaking South African solar milestone, with Anthem’s 475MWac Notsi Solar Project in the Free State — the largest single-phase solar development in South African history — having reached financial close on 5 March 2026 and commenced construction in the same month, targeting early summer 2028 completion under a 20-year wheeling PPA with Discovery Green and NOA Group.

Project Overview

Type: Utility-scale ground-mounted solar PV wheeling project (one-to-many C&I model)

Location: Between Hanover and De Aar, Northern Cape, South Africa

Total planned capacity: 1GW (three phases)

Phase 1 capacity: 342MW (three staged 114MW facilities: SunCentral 1, 2 and 3)

Phase 1 total investment: ~R5 billion (~$274 million); MTS component: ~R1 billion

Delivery model: Virtual PPAs; wheeling via Eskom national transmission grid; no on-site installation required by customers

Power tariff: Up to 50% cheaper than Eskom utility tariff

SunCentral 1 (114MW) financial close: February 2025; funding: R1.8 billion from Investec and RMB

Construction groundbreaking: June 19, 2025; 500,000+ solar panels to be installed by Sinohydro

SunCentral 2 (114MW) financial close: February 2026; funding: R1.5 billion from RMB and Investec; first power targeted 2026

SunCentral 3 (114MW): To be financed and constructed in subsequent phase

MTS capacity: Engineered for up to 2GW of green power evacuation — supports future phases and future generators

Grid enabler: Eskom Grid Budget Quote (BQ) allocation secured — one of few C&I projects to receive this

Signed offtakers (Phase 1): Vantage Data Centers, ATTACQ, Enpower Trading, NCP Chlorchem, and others

Community upliftment: CSR projects aligned to UN SDGs, National Development Plan, Emthanjeni Local Municipal Strategic Objectives; focused on job creation, education, local procurement, skills development

Blueprint significance: SunCentral model intended as template for wheeling projects in Kenya and Nigeria

Project Team

Developer/Owner/IPP: SolarAfrica Energy (subsidiary of Starsight Energy Africa Group)

SolarAfrica CEO: David McDonald

SolarAfrica CIO: Charl Alheit

Starsight Energy Africa Group CEO: Paul van Zijl

Equity investors: African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM); Helios Investment Partners

AIIM Investment Director: Thor Corry

Debt financiers (SunCentral 1 & 2): Rand Merchant Bank (RMB); Investec Bank Corporate & Institutional Banking

EPC Contractor (solar panels): Sinohydro (500,000+ panels installation)

EPC Contractor (MTS substation): Proconics

Original project developer: Soventix South Africa (developed for REIPPP; sold Phase 1 rights to SolarAfrica; retains Phases 2 & 3 development rights)

Grid operator: Eskom (transmission grid wheeling)

Local authority: Emthanjeni Local Municipality; Mayor Lulamile Nkumbi

Published 25th February 2025: SolarAfrica has secured $98 million that will facilitate in implementing the first phase of its 1 GW SunCentral solar project. The independent power producer has reached financial close on the first 144MW component of its projects. The company has achieved this alongside its funding partners Investec and RMB. The $98 million investment into SunCentral marks the start of the project’s rollout. SunCentral is a large-scale solar photovoltaic plant located between Hanover and De Aer in the Northern Cape.

The scope of implementation on the project is expected to be developed in three phases. The 342 MW first phase will be delivered through a staged roll-out of three 114 MW facilities. Moreover, the project will deliver renewable energy to various offtakers by wheeling it through South Africa’s power grid. It is also expected that once the second and third phase of the project are complete, SunCentral’s capacity will increase to 1 GW.

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Project Summary:

Location: South Africa

Capacity: 1 GW

Phase of Implementation: First phase

Cost of Project: US$98 Million

The Uniqueness of SolarAfrica’s SunCentral Solar Project

The uniqueness of SolarAfrica’s SunCentral solar project lies in its wheeling capabilities. Unlike similarly sized projects that offer wheeling on a one-to-one basis, this project is different. Most project achieve the one-to-one basis with one generation plant supplying one offtaker. However, SolarAfrica has noted that this project will offer wheeling on a one-to-many basis. Through this, it will ensure availability to a wider pool of businesses in South Africa. “Reaching financial close on the first 114 MW of our utility-scale wheeling development marks a significant milestone,” noted SolarAfrica’s CIO, Charl Alheit.

Furthermore, he noted that this feat marks the company’s commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions to its customers. The substantial size of SunCentral will unlock access to cheaper, greener power for even more businesses across the country. SolarAfrica is part of the greater Starsight Energy Africa Group. The South African-based company is confident that the success of SunCentral will act as a blueprint for similar and smaller offsite generation projects. These includes off-site generation projects in other African markets in which the Starsight Energy Africa Group companies operate.

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SolarAfrica’s new funding partner strengthens growing EPC partner network

Construction of South Africa’s Largest Solar Project Commences