Independent power producer Yellow Door Energy has broken ground on the 49 MW Lion Thorn Solar Park, near Leeudoringstad, in the Maquassi Hills local municipality, in North West.

The milestone marks the project’s transition from financial close into construction, with commissioning and commercial operation expected in 2028.

PowerChina has been appointed as the engineering, procurement and construction contractor responsible for delivering the solar park. 

Once operational, Lion Thorn Solar Park will supply clean electricity to offtakers through wheeling arrangements.

The project has secured power purchase agreements (PPAs) with South African cement and construction materials producer PPC, as part of the cement producer’s strategy to build a greener, more sustainable business by increasing its use of renewable energy and reducing its carbon footprint.

Lion Thorn Solar Park is expected to generate about 115 GWh of renewable electricity in its first year and to avoid an estimated 104 190 t of carbon emissions yearly.

The project is also expected to create employment and economic opportunities during construction and operation, with a focus on local jobs, skills and suppliers in the Maquassi Hills and surrounding communities.

“Lion Thorn Solar Park demonstrates the important role of collaboration, bringing together private investment, international expertise and local knowledge to support South Africa’s just energy transition.

“By working together, we can help businesses strengthen energy security and expand access to reliable, cost-competitive clean electricity. At Yellow Door Energy, we remain committed to reducing our own emissions and achieving Net Zero by 2040 as we continue to grow our clean energy portfolio,” says Yellow Door Energy Group CEO Jeremy Crane.

“The groundbreaking marks the start of an exciting new phase for Lion Thorn Solar Park. We look forward to working closely with PowerChina, local contractors, suppliers and the community to successfully deliver the project and create meaningful opportunities in the region. As we expand our wheeling portfolio in South Africa, we also look forward to supporting more businesses with reliable, competitively priced clean electricity,” says Yellow Door Energy South Africa MD John Taylor.

“We are pleased to partner with Yellow Door Energy to build Lion Thorn Solar Park. We bring global experience in utility-scale renewable energy and look forward to working with local contractors, suppliers and skilled workers to deliver the project and support the local community,” adds PowerChina project representative Jiekun Qin (Ken).