French renewable energy firm Voltalia has brought a 148-megawatt solar power plant online in South Africa, in a deal that signals how large industrial companies are moving away from unreliable national grids.
- A 148MW solar plant has begun supplying power to a Rio Tinto subsidiary in South Africa.
- The project reflects a growing shift by companies away from the national grid.
- Power shortages and coal reliance are accelerating private renewable energy deals.
- It also highlights efforts to cut emissions in Africa’s mining sector.
The Bolobedu solar farm in Limpopo province will supply about 300 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually to Richards Bay Minerals, part of Rio Tinto, under a long-term corporate power purchase agreement.
Electricity from the plant will be transmitted through the grid run by Eskom using a wheeling system, allowing power to reach the mine without a direct connection.
This model is gaining ground in South Africa as companies look for stable electricity supply outside the struggling state utility.
Africa’s most industrialised economy still relies heavily on coal for power, even as outages and load-shedding continue to disrupt businesses.
That has pushed energy-intensive sectors such as mining to secure private renewable energy deals to cut costs, improve reliability, and meet climate targets.
Voltalia said the project will reduce carbon emissions by more than 237,000 tonnes each year, underlining the growing role of renewables in decarbonising mining operations, one of the continent’s most polluting sectors.
The plant also delivered local benefits during construction, employing around 800 people, including a majority of young workers and a significant share of women.
Workers received training in solar installation and technical support, helping to build skills in a sector expected to expand across Africa.
The project comes as more private energy partnerships emerge across South Africa. Companies are increasingly signing long-term renewable power deals to shield operations from grid instability while aligning with global climate commitments.
“The full commissioning of Bolobedu… illustrates our commitment to accelerating the decarbonisation of industries and supporting an inclusive energy transition,” Voltalia chief executive Robert Klein said.
