Scatec reimagining solar potential in Africa

As the global energy sector races to meet net-zero commitments, utility-scale solar is undergoing a fundamental transformation, according to experts at Norwegian-based firm Scatec, which is heavily involved in Africa’s evolving power industry

No longer defined by megawatt capacity alone, solar projects are now being evaluated on their ability to deliver dispatchable power, enhance grid stability and provide critical ancillary services.

Nowhere is this evolution more pronounced than in Africa, particularly South Africa, where the Just Energy Transition is accelerating the shift towards resilient, grid-integrated renewable energy.

“Across the continent, and especially in South Africa, we’re seeing a strategic move away from variable-only generation,” said Jaco Uys, senior vice-president projects sub-Sahara Africa at Scatec.

“What matters now is whether a project can deliver clean energy consistently on demand day or night — this means thinking beyond solar panels, to fully integrated energy systems.”

South Africa’s Eskom-constrained grid has spotlighted the urgent need for firm, responsive power.

Grid compatibility is no longer optional, it is central to energy planning.

As independent power producers (IPPs) are increasingly permitted to co-develop transmission infrastructure under the country’s new independent transmission projects (ITP) framework, the focus is shifting to hybrid models that combine generation with advanced control technologies.

At the forefront of this movement is Scatec’s Kenhardt project, a hybrid solar-battery development in the Northern Cape.

Boasting 540MW of solar PV paired with 225 MW/1,140 MWh of battery storage, Kenhardt delivers consistent dispatchable energy under a 20-year power purchase agreement with Eskom.

“Kenhardt isn’t just a solar project,” said Nic Bailey, senior vice-president operational excellence and digitalisation at Scatec, “it’s a demonstration of what’s possible when you pair clean generation with flexible output. We’re not just injecting power into the grid, we’re actively supporting it.”

But we’re not witnessing seismic shifts in solar technology, Bailey added. “Instead, we’re seeing incremental improvements in efficiency, equipment size and LCOE year on year. That’s a positive for IPPs like us -- it allows for predictability in planning and stability in execution.”

In this new era, solar-plus-storage is not a luxury, it is a necessity.

“Amid challenges in the solar module market, the booming battery energy storage (BESS) sector is emerging as a vital growth area” added Uys. “It’s reshaping the value chain and fuelling supplier diversification.”

Projects like Kenhardt prove that renewable energy can be clean, reliable and bankable, aligning financial models with long-term energy security goals.

As South Africa continues to unlock private sector participation and modernise its energy infrastructure, the lessons from Kenhardt and other grid-resilient projects are resonating far beyond its borders.

Hybrid solutions represent the next chapter in the solar story — offering not just power, but progress.

Read more:

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