- Norway’s Scatec ASA has begun commercial operations at its 273 MW Grootfontein solar power plant in South Africa.
- The facility will supply electricity under a 20-year power purchase agreement under the country’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) Bid Window 5.
Announcing the milestone, Scatec’s Chief Executive, Terje Pilskog, said the start of operations underscored the firm’s long-standing commitment to the country’s energy transition.
“We are proud to commence commercial operations at Grootfontein, reinforcing our strong track record in South Africa,” he said. “This project builds on our commitment to deliver clean, reliable energy while creating long-term value for local communities and partners. We thank our stakeholders for their continued collaboration and look forward to continuing our support of the energy transition in South Africa.”
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Alberto Gambacorta, Executive Vice-President and General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, hailed the development as a significant achievement for both Scatec and its partners.
“Bringing the Grootfontein plant into operation is an important milestone,” he said. “As our first project in the Western Cape, and the first solar project to reach commercial operation under REIPPPP Round 5, this reflects the dedication and resilience of our teams and contractors. Grootfontein strengthens Scatec’s position as a trusted renewable energy partner in South Africa and underscores our commitment to scaling impact through sustainable, high-quality projects.”
Expected to produce around 700 GWh of clean energy each year, the plant is forecast to avoid roughly 630,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. It is now the largest co-located solar PV cluster in the Western Cape.
Scatec holds a 51% stake in the project, with local Black Economic Empowerment partner H1 Holdings owning 46.5%. The remaining 2.5% is held by the Grootfontein Local Community Trust. Scatec will also oversee the plant’s operation, maintenance and asset management.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
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