SolarAfrica Nets USD 98 M To Kickstart 1GW Solar Project In South Africa

SolarAfrica has secured USD 98 M in funding to implement the first phase of its 1 GW SunCentral solar project in South Africa. The investment, backed by Investec and RMB, will support the development of the project’s first 144 MW component, marking a significant milestone for the independent power producer.

Located between Hanover and De Aar in the Northern Cape, SunCentral is a large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) plant set to be developed in three phases. The initial 342 MW phase will be delivered through a staged rollout of three 114 MW facilities, with power being wheeled to multiple businesses across South Africa’s grid. Once fully completed, SunCentral will have a total capacity of 1 GW, making it one of the country’s largest renewable energy projects.

What sets SunCentral apart is its one-to-many wheeling model, which differs from conventional projects that operate on a one-to-one basis—where a single plant supplies a single offtaker. Instead, SolarAfrica’s model will enable multiple businesses to access cleaner, more affordable energy, expanding renewable power availability across the country.

Founded in 2011 by David McDonald, SolarAfrica provides integrated renewable energy solutions to commercial and industrial customers in Southern Africa. Charl Alheit, CIO of SolarAfrica, highlighted that reaching a financial close on the first 114 MW utility-scale wheeling development shows the company’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions. He emphasized that SunCentral’s scale will help unlock cheaper, greener power for businesses while serving as a blueprint for future off-site generation projects in South Africa and beyond.

A part of the Starsight Energy Africa Group, SolarAfrica sees SunCentral as a model for similar renewable energy initiatives in other African markets where the group operates, further advancing the continent’s transition to clean energy.