- Mainstream Renewable Power (Mainstream) has reached financial close on its 50 MW Ilikwa solar PV plant in South Africa.
- The power from the plant will supply multiple private commercial and industrial customers through flexible, shorter-term wheeling Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
- Mainstream controversially won 12 of the 25 projects in South Africa’s REIPPPP Bid Window 5 but failed to meet financial close on the projects. Read more
Mainstream has a 70% equity stake in the project and Investec has a 30% equity stake. Construction of the Ilikwa solar PV plant, located in the Free State province, has already commenced, and is expected to reach commercial operation in early 2026.
When fully operational, it will produce 141 Gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity per year, powering the equivalent of more than 42,000 homes and avoiding the annual release of approximately 100,000 tons of CO2.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
