Voltalia, an international player in renewable energies, has launched the first works for a 148MW solar power plant in South Africa
In October 2022, Voltalia entered into a CPPA with Richards Bay Minerals (RBM), South Africa's largest mineral sands producer and a subsidiary of Rio Tinto, to supply approximately 300GW hours of renewable energy each year to RBM's production facilities in KwaZulu-Natal, across a 20-year contract. Just two months after entering into his agreement, Voltalia has officially begun construction works for the Bolobedu solar plant, including detailed engineering, the purchase of various equipment, site clearing and detailed geotechnical studies.
It will be the largest South African renewable power plant dedicated to the energy needs of a corporate client. Located in the northeast of the country in the province of Limpopo, the plant will be completed in 2024, and its production will represent a volume equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 425,000 inhabitants, avoiding more than 237,000 tons of CO2 emissions.
"We are very pleased to be able to launch the construction of our largest project in Africa, just two months after signing the CPPA with RBM and thus to support it in the decarbonisation of its sites. Our commitment to help our customers overcome the current energy crisis has never been stronger,” said Sebastien Clerc, CEO of Voltalia.
