{"id":25765,"date":"2025-08-28T12:58:52","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T10:58:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=25765"},"modified":"2026-03-12T09:56:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T07:56:55","slug":"sas-first-privately-procured-solar-plant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/sas-first-privately-procured-solar-plant\/","title":{"rendered":"SA\u2019s First Privately Procured Solar Plant Now Operational"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>South Africa has taken a significant step towards cleaner energy with the successful operation of SA\u2019s first privately procured solar plant. The Damlaagte Solar PV Facility, located near Parys in the Free State, is a major milestone for the country&#8217;s energy transition. This solar farm is the first of its kind to be procured privately, marking a new chapter in South Africa&#8217;s renewable energy journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-power-of-damlaagte-solar-pv-facility\">The Power of Damlaagte Solar PV Facility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Damlaagte facility has a 97.6 MW capacity and will generate 270 million kWh in its first year. This power will be fed directly into the national grid, making a substantial contribution to South Africa&#8217;s renewable energy supply. This milestone demonstrates the potential of private sector participation in South Africa\u2019s energy solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn more about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/solar-power-in-south-africa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">costs, compliance, and what homeowners need to know in our guide to solar power<\/a> in South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-3797279668\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-makes-damlaagte-unique\">What Makes Damlaagte Unique?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>SA\u2019s first privately procured solar plant is special because it is not just owned by a single entity but is a joint effort involving Mainstream Renewable Power, uBuzwe Energy, and Thembelihle Trust. This collaboration aims to meet the growing energy demand in South Africa while contributing to the nation&#8217;s decarbonisation efforts. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.engineeringnews.co.za\/article\/south-africas-first-joint-privately-procured-pv-facility-comes-online-2025-08-26#:~:text=Damlaagte%20marks%20the%20first%20renewable,partners%20Air%20Liquide%20and%20Sasol\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The plant is also linked<\/a> to major industry players like Sasol and Air Liquide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-clean-energy-for-sasol-s-secunda-plant\">Clean Energy for Sasol\u2019s Secunda Plant<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A key feature of Damlaagte\u2019s success is its ability to supply clean energy to <strong>Sasol\u2019s Secunda site<\/strong>. Sasol, a global leader in energy and chemicals, operates the world\u2019s largest oxygen production facility at Secunda. By integrating renewable energy into its operations, Sasol is taking significant strides towards reducing its carbon footprint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-3386143146\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-vision-for-decarbonisation-air-liquide-s-role\">A Vision for Decarbonisation: Air Liquide\u2019s Role<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Air Liquide, a partner in the Damlaagte project, plays a critical role in advancing <strong>South Africa&#8217;s decarbonisation goals<\/strong>. The company aims to reduce <strong>CO2 emissions<\/strong> by 30% to 40% by 2031. By using clean energy from the Damlaagte plant, Air Liquide is one step closer to achieving these ambitious targets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-role-of-private-procurement-in-renewable-energy\">The Role of Private Procurement in Renewable Energy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Damlaagte solar plant results from South Africa&#8217;s first joint privately procured renewable energy project.The success of this venture could pave the way for more private procurement agreements, allowing other companies to contribute to solving the country&#8217;s energy crisis. Hein Reyneke, Africa GM of Mainstream Renewable Power, stressed that such agreements are crucial in addressing South Africa\u2019s energy constraints effectively and cost-efficiently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-354211246\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-job-creation-and-local-economic-impact\">Job Creation and Local Economic Impact<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond energy production, the Damlaagte project has had a significant economic impact on the surrounding communities. Construction began in November 2023, providing jobs for nearly <strong>2,000 people<\/strong> from local communities such as Tumahole, Schonkenville, and Vredefort. This employment boost contributes to the local economy, providing a much-needed source of income and skills development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Read the latest update on<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/outa-urges-delay-solar-system-registration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> OUTA\u2019s recommendation for homeowners to delay solar system registration.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-sasol-s-renewable-energy-targets\">Sasol\u2019s Renewable Energy Targets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sasol\u2019s involvement in the Damlaagte project is part of a broader strategy to secure renewable energy for its operations. To date, Sasol has secured <strong>over 900 MW<\/strong> of renewable energy and aims to procure up to <strong>2 GW<\/strong> by 2030. These efforts are a vital part of South Africa\u2019s renewable energy transition and corporate responsibility goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2959675351\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-future-of-renewable-energy-in-south-africa\">The Future of Renewable Energy in South Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Damlaagte\u2019s operational success signals a growing trend towards private-sector involvement in renewable energy. As government policies evolve to support renewable energy, more companies will likely follow Sasol and Air Liquide\u2019s lead, securing private power purchase agreements (PPAs) to meet their energy needs sustainably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-bright-future-for-south-africa-s-energy\">A Bright Future for South Africa\u2019s Energy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The commissioning of SA\u2019s first privately procured solar plant at Damlaagte marks a significant shift in South Africa&#8217;s energy landscape. It showcases the vital role the private sector plays in helping the country meet its energy demands while reducing carbon emissions. With more projects like this on the horizon, South Africa is steadily moving towards a more sustainable and energy-secure future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Stay informed with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/update-for-south-africans-with-solar-panels\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">urgent update for South Africans with solar panels<\/a> and what you need to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>South Africa has taken a significant step towards cleaner energy with the successful operation of SA\u2019s first privately procured solar plant. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":25778,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"South Africa has taken a significant step towards cleaner energy with the successful operation of SA\u2019s first privately procured solar plant. 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