Solar energy company SolarAfrica and local engineering firm Proconics NewFields, on August 26 marked the completion and energisation of SunCentral 1, the first 114 MW facility within the SunCentral solar farm’s first phase, alongside the official handover of the Aquila Main Transmission Substation (MTS) to State-owned Eskom and the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA).

Together, these milestones bring the initial phases of one of South Africa's largest utility-scale wheeling developments to the threshold of commercial operation.

The occasion was celebrated at the SunCentral solar farm, located between Hanover and De Aar, in the Northern Cape, and attended by representatives from SolarAfrica, Proconics, Eskom, the NTCSA, local community stakeholders and government representatives.

Northern Cape Premier Zamani Saul was in attendance and commented that this project reaffirmed the province’s competitive advantage as a renewable-energy leader and aligned perfectly with the Northern Cape's industrialisation plans, with energy as a key enabler.

"Completing energisation of the initial cluster of SunCentral Phase 1 demonstrates that large-scale wheeling projects can be delivered successfully in South Africa. It represents years of planning and collaboration between the private sector, Eskom, the NTCSA and our project partners,” said SolarAfrica CEO David McDonald.

He noted that, as construction and energisation of both the solar facility and its associated transmission infrastructure had now been completed, the initial cluster of SunCentral Phase 1 would officially mark its commercial operation date (COD) in the coming weeks, with customer energy supply and billing expected to start during the fourth quarter of this year.

SunCentral is being developed as a utility-scale solar PV plant supplying multiple commercial and industrial customers through wheeling. Originally developed by global renewable energy firm Soventix South Africa, SolarAfrica continues to partner with the company as co-developer of SunCentral's future phases. 

PowerChina serves as principal developer of the solar facilities.

Phase 1 comprises three 114 MW solar facilities with a combined generation capacity of 342 MW.

Once fully developed, SunCentral is expected to deliver up to 1 GW of renewable-energy capacity. Every component of the facility – from overhead lines, solar fields and transmission infrastructure – was designed and built from the ground up to maximise power generation in the sun-rich Northern Cape region.

The Aquila MTS is a critical component of the project. It represents SolarAfrica’s R1.35-billion investment and now forms part of South Africa's transmission network following its handover to the NTCSA.

Engineered for up to 2 GVA of green power evacuation capacity, the facility houses a 500 MVA transformer and provides the critical connection between SunCentral and the national transmission grid, while supporting regional grid stability.

SolarAfrica and Proconic NewFields say the MTS will strengthen South Africa's transmission network while enabling renewable energy to flow where it is needed most.

"The MTS is SolarAfrica’s first greenfield transmission substation, delivered under the self-build principle, and it signifies our capability to develop, finance, engineer, construct and commission large-scale renewable-energy projects.

“It’s a crucial demonstration of our ability to unlock over 1 GW of renewable energy into South Africa's national grid. It also underpins our commitment to create long-term shared value for the communities of De Aar and Hanover,” says SolarAfrica chief delivery officer Fana Tlhalepe.

The substation was engineered and built by Proconics NewFields, a South African engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) company and principal developer of the transmission infrastructure.

Proconics Holdings CEO Melvin Jones said the successful completion and handover of the Aquila MTS represented a significant engineering achievement and demonstrated the capability of South African EPC organisations to deliver complex grid infrastructure at scale.

“As an official NTCSA-approved engineering and construction partner on this project, Proconics is proud to have worked alongside SolarAfrica, Eskom and the NTCSA to deliver an asset that will support the integration of renewable energy into the national grid for decades to come.

“More importantly, this project provides the critical transmission infrastructure required to unlock future renewable generation and strengthen South Africa's energy security,” said Jones.

With the first cluster nearing commercial operation, development of the broader SunCentral programme is already progressing, with the remaining Phase 1 clusters set to be completed in the coming months.

Future phases are expected to increasingly combine utility-scale solar generation with battery energy storage systems, allowing renewable energy to be supplied beyond daylight hours and increasing the proportion of clean energy available to customers while supporting a more resilient electricity grid.

"SunCentral has shown what can be achieved when industry, government and project partners pull in the same direction. It's bringing more renewable energy into the market, giving businesses greater choice and affordability in how they procure electricity, while developing the infrastructure that will support South Africa's energy future," concludes McDonald.