The Ilikwa Photovoltaic (PV) Facility has officially reached its Commercial Operation Date (COD), marking the beginning of commercial electricity supply to multiple commercial and industrial customers in South Africa. Located near Parys in the Free State province, the 50 MW solar project represents an important step in the country’s growing private renewable energy market. The project has been developed by Mainstream Renewable Power, which holds a 70% ownership stake, in partnership with Investec, which owns the remaining 30% and also serves as a project financier.
The commissioning of the Ilikwa PV Facility reflects the ongoing transformation of South Africa’s energy sector, where businesses are increasingly adopting private renewable energy solutions to secure reliable and affordable electricity. The project operates through flexible, shorter-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), allowing multiple commercial and industrial customers to access clean electricity. This model is designed to improve energy security while helping businesses reduce their carbon footprint and achieve their sustainability goals.
The solar facility is equipped with more than 101,000 photovoltaic modules and is expected to generate over 140 GWh of clean electricity every year. In addition to supplying renewable power, the project is projected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around 100,000 tonnes annually, supporting South Africa’s broader efforts to lower greenhouse gas emissions and expand the use of clean energy.
Construction of the Ilikwa PV Facility began in October 2024 and was completed over a period of 21 months. During the peak construction phase, the project created employment opportunities for more than 2,600 people. Most of these jobs were filled by workers from nearby communities, including Tumahole, Schonkenville, and Vredefort. The developers also placed a strong emphasis on local procurement and enterprise development, ensuring that businesses in the surrounding areas benefited from the project’s construction activities.
Beyond electricity generation, the Ilikwa PV Facility aims to deliver long-term social and economic benefits to neighboring communities. The project is supporting several development initiatives focused on education, skills development, and entrepreneurship. These include a bursary programme for local students, mentorship and support for emerging entrepreneurs, and partnerships with educational institutions to strengthen science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning. Through these initiatives, the project seeks to create lasting opportunities for local communities while contributing to South Africa’s transition towards a cleaner, more sustainable, and resilient energy future.
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