Renewable-energy company Mainstream South Africa's 50 MW Ilikwa solar PV facility has achieved commercial operation and marks the start of supplying commercial electricity to multiple private commercial and industrial customers.

Located near Parys, in the Free State, the project is part of South Africa's rapidly expanding private electricity market and reflects the accelerating liberalisation of South Africa's electricity market.

The facility will generate more than 140 GWh/y of renewable electricity from more than 101 000 PV modules to help businesses secure reliable and competitively priced clean energy while avoiding an estimated 100 000 t/y of CO₂ emissions.

Businesses are increasingly seeking flexible, cost-effective renewable-energy solutions outside the traditional utility supply model, the company says.

By supplying multiple commercial and industrial customers through flexible, shorter-term power purchase agreements, the project demonstrates how new contracting structures are broadening access to private renewable energy, strengthening energy security and supporting corporate decarbonisation while stimulating continued investment in generation capacity.

The plant supplies renewable electricity to private commercial and industrial customers through flexible renewable energy supply agreements. It supports South Africa's evolving energy market by expanding access to reliable, competitively priced renewable energy, says Mainstream.

Further, Ilikwa Solar is investing in the long-term development of neighbouring communities through education and skills development initiatives.

These include a bursary programme for local youth, support for local entrepreneurs and education partnerships aimed at strengthening science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning and building future skills within the region.

Construction of the facility started in October 2024 and was completed over a 21-month period. At its peak, the project created employment opportunities for over 2 600 people, with the majority recruited from the neighbouring communities of Tumahole, Schonkenville and Vredefort.

Working alongside construction partners, the project prioritised local procurement and enterprise development, enabling meaningful participation by local businesses throughout the construction phase, Mainstream says.

The project was developed by Mainstream Renewable Power and is jointly owned by Mainstream, which holds 70%, and financial services firm Investec, which holds 30% and also provided the funding.

“Ilikwa PV Facility, which is one of the first multiple customer offtake projects in the market, demonstrates what can be achieved when experienced partners work together towards a common goal,” says Mainstream South Africa GM Hein Reyneke.

“We are proud to be contributing to South Africa's energy security and our customers' decarbonisation objectives,” says Investec energy and infrastructure finance head Martin Meyer.