AMEA Power, one of the fastest-growing renewable energy companies in the region, has successfully commissioned its 120 MWp Doornhoek Solar PV plant in South Africa. This achievement makes it the first project under Bid Window 6 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) to reach commercial operation, highlighting the company’s strong execution capability in delivering large-scale renewable energy infrastructure.
The project is located near Klerksdorp in South Africa’s North West Province and is expected to generate around 325 GWh of clean electricity every year. This is sufficient to supply power to approximately 97,000 households while also reducing carbon emissions by more than 330,000 tonnes annually.
With a total investment of around USD 120 million, the solar facility is now fully operational as an independent power producer (IPP) project developed by AMEA Power in partnership with Ziyanda Energy and Dzimuzwo Energy, both of which are wholly owned by African women. This partnership reflects the company’s focus on supporting inclusive economic participation and advancing local transformation within South Africa’s energy sector.
The project was financed through USD 100 million in debt funding provided by Standard Bank South Africa, along with USD 8 million in equity investment from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), which helped enable strong local participation in the ownership structure.
According to Hussain Al Nowais, Chairman of AMEA Power, the completion of the 120 MW solar project represents an important milestone for both the company and South Africa’s broader energy transition. He noted that being the first Bid Window 6 project to reach commercial operation demonstrates the strength of coordination between government, financial institutions, and the private sector in delivering critical national infrastructure.
He also highlighted that South Africa remains a key market for AMEA Power, supported by its established local presence in the region.He further added that the Doornhoek project is now supplying reliable, clean electricity to the national grid, contributing to improved energy security and supporting socio-economic development in surrounding communities.
The project was delivered with a focus on precision, speed, and operational discipline, reinforcing AMEA Power’s capability to execute complex utility-scale renewable developments.Beyond power generation, the project has also delivered significant local development benefits. During peak construction, it created around 1,050 jobs in Klerksdorp and nearby areas, while also supporting local businesses.
In addition, AMEA Power has implemented a community investment and development programme aimed at long-term social impact. This includes support for educational initiatives, skills development programmes for youth and elderly groups, and assistance to local non-profit organisations focused on social enterprise and community cohesion.
Beneficiaries include six schools, four early childhood development centres, and 15 local NPOs.The successful commissioning of the Doornhoek solar plant marks AMEA Power’s first operational renewable energy asset in South Africa and strengthens its growing footprint across the African continent.
The company continues to expand its presence in the region, including additional awards under South Africa’s Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (BESIPPPP). These include two battery storage projects located in the North West Province, each with a capacity of more than 300 MWh, further supporting the country’s transition toward a more stable and diversified energy system.
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