Renewable-energy company JUWI Renewable Energies has signed two solar module supply agreements with JA Solar, a manufacturer of high-performance PV technology.

The deal is for nearly 420 000 solar panels for two large-scale projects totalling 220 MW, currently being executed for major industrial energy users.

The projects include the 100 MW Sonvanger solar plant for diversified miner Glencore, developed in partnership with Pele Green Energy; and the 120 MW Paarde Valley PV2 project for chemicals and energy company Sasol and industrial gases supplier Air Liquide, delivered with TotalEnergies, Mulilo and Reatile Group.

Together, the projects will come online in late 2026.

The latest milestone forms part of JUWI’s broader construction rollout announced earlier this year, which includes more than R6-billion in new-build solar PV projects.

Once completed, these projects will add about 5% to South Africa’s total installed solar PV capacity, it points out.

“We’re proud to work with global technology leaders like JA Solar, energy-intensive industries and independent power producers to advance South Africa’s energy transition,” says JUWI Renewable Energies MD Richard Doyle.

“With the country targeting nearly 30 GW of new wind and solar by 2030 and with 11 GW of coal capacity scheduled for decommissioning in the near future, we need to ramp up renewable-energy deployment faster than ever before if we’re going to keep the lights on.

“These large-scale projects also bring real carbon savings to the country’s hard-to-abate sectors, while reducing electricity costs for energy users and easing pressure on the grid,” he adds.

“We’re proud to partner with JUWI on these flagship projects, which reflect our shared commitment to advancing clean energy in South Africa. By supplying high-efficiency modules built for performance and reliability, we’re helping to power a more sustainable industrial future,” says JA Solar executive president Aiqing Yang.

The two projects will supply 672 000 MWh/y of clean electricity, which is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by about 625 000 t/y, and also ease pressure on the national grid and reduce electricity costs for large energy users.