South Africa’s independent power producer, Mulilo, has achieved financial close for the Du Plessis Dam Solar PV2 facility, a 105MW (75MWac) solar photovoltaic project near De Aar in the Northern Cape. The project marks a significant milestone as one of the first in South Africa to close under an energy aggregator model, with Etana Energy as the offtaker. Mulilo is developing the project in partnership with H1 Capital.
Mulilo CEO Jan Fourie highlighted the project’s innovative approach, stating, “This is more than just another solar project; it represents a new era of energy trading and innovation in South Africa. By leveraging an aggregator model, we are pioneering a more dynamic and efficient energy market that will ultimately benefit businesses and consumers alike.”
The Du Plessis Dam Solar PV2 facility is expected to generate approximately 248 GWh of electricity annually, contributing significantly to South Africa’s renewable energy supply. The project is strategically located near other Mulilo developments and will be one of four plants connected to the Kestrel Main Transmission Substation. Developed by Mulilo, the substation has unlocked critical grid capacity in a key solar resource region, enhancing the integration of renewable energy into the national grid.
The project is the latest addition to Mulilo’s growing renewable energy portfolio. Over the past year, the company has closed 660MW of new renewable energy projects, adding to its existing operational capacity of 420MW. The Du Plessis Dam Solar PV2 facility follows the recently closed Ukuqala Solar project, further reinforcing Mulilo’s position in South Africa’s clean energy transition.
The successful financial close was achieved through collaboration with financial, legal, and strategic advisory teams, including Pepper Tree Capital, Bowmans, ENS, and Standard Bank as Mandated Lead Arranger. “These achievements reflect the strength of our partnerships and our commitment to accelerating South Africa’s transition to sustainable energy,” Fourie added.
Mulilo continues to expand its pipeline of renewable energy projects, playing a key role in supporting the country’s energy security and decarbonization goals.
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