Independent power producer Engie has broken ground on the construction of the 75 MW Grootspruit solar PV power plant, which is being built and will be operated in partnership with Pele Green Energy.

Grootspruit, in the Free State, is one of two PV power plants to be built by Engie as part of Bid Window 5 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).

The other plant, the 75 MW Graspan solar PV plant, will be built in the Northern Cape. Both plants are expected to be commissioned by the end of 2025.

“We are focused on helping to contribute to a more resilient energy landscape in South Africa. With our more than 15 years presence in the country with more than 1.6 GW of multiple assets currently in operation, we know that working on such a significant project requires extensive collaboration with partners like Pele Green Energy and the Free State provincial government, not to mention numerous engineers, builders, contractors and the like.

"Engie takes great pride in this significant investment it is making to deliver invaluable assets for South Africa once these plants are completed next year,” says Engie South Africa CEO and Renewables for Asia, Middle East and Africa MD Mo Hoosen.

"We are proud of these projects, not only because of the power they will generate but also the structural development they will bring to the local communities and the country as a whole. We are delighted to collaborate with Engie, which is dedicated to a genuine partnership in realising these projects," adds Pele Green Energy investment and funding head Ronald Chindeka.

Aurex Constructors and Ablon Construction have been selected as the preferred contractors for this project.

"Aurex’s award of the design and construction of the Grootspruit solar project reaffirms our commitment to providing sustainable solutions to South Africa’s energy challenges. This landmark project underpins our dedication to supporting a just energy transition, creating job opportunities and promoting skills development in the local community,” says Aurex CEO Stuart Kent.

“As Ablon Construction, a company deeply rooted in the local community for the past 24 years, we are honoured and excited to be part of the groundbreaking ceremony for the Grootspruit PV solar farm. This collaboration between all stakeholders is a significant step toward a successful project that will contribute to South Africa’s clean energy goals,” comments Ablon contracts manager Lizelle Pike.

Engie points out that the Grootspruit and Graspan plants, together, are expected to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions in South Africa by 100 000 t/y of CO₂.