Independent power producer (IPP) SolarAfrica has partnered with property investment company Moolman Group’s energy platform MPower and investment company Fledge Capital to develop the 184 MW utility-scale solar PV plant and 300 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), in Mpumalanga.

Located near eMalahleni, the Highveld Hybrid Energy project will combine large-scale solar generation with battery storage, thereby enabling renewable energy generated during the day to be stored and discharged during periods of higher demand.

This will allow customers to achieve greater renewable-energy penetration, which gives them more control of when and how they opt to use cheaper, greener energy instead of normal electricity supply, says SolarAfrica CEO David McDonald.

Highveld Hybrid Energy is expected to begin supplying renewable electricity through wheeling from 2029.

“Highveld Hybrid Energy reflects the continued evolution of South Africa's electricity market, where businesses are increasingly seeking alternatives that provide long-term price certainty, improved energy security and lower carbon emissions through wheeled renewable energy,” says MPower CEO JZ Moolman.

Further, the project adds to SolarAfrica's growing portfolio of utility-scale renewable-energy projects, including its flagship SunCentral solar farm, as the company continues expanding access to clean energy for South African corporate and industrial businesses.

“Highveld Hybrid Energy forms part of our expanding utility-scale pipeline, which now comprises 14 projects across South Africa. In addition to SunCentral and other recently announced developments, we are investing to meet growing demand for wheeled renewable energy,” says McDonald.

“We are focused on bringing new generation capacity online at scale while giving businesses greater flexibility in how they procure and consume electricity,” he adds.

As its development pipeline matures, battery storage is becoming an increasingly important part of its projects.

The Highveld Hybrid Energy project also expands SolarAfrica's diversified portfolio that includes utility-scale generation, battery storage, wheeling, trading and on-site energy solutions.

“Highveld Hybrid Energy is another important step in building the scale the market is going to need over the coming years,” he says.