In September 2025, SOLA reached a defining milestone in South Africa’s renewable energy transition with the commissioning of Project Springbok, a 195MW utility-scale solar PV facility located in the Free State.

More than just a generation asset, Springbok represents a new model for how energy infrastructure can actively drive environmental progress and long-term community empowerment.

Built and delivered by SOLA as part of its expanding wheeling portfolio, the project is part of a broader shift toward flexible, decentralised clean energy procurement in South Africa. With multiple corporate off-takers and a pioneering multi-buyer structure, Springbok is helping reshape how businesses access renewable power while delivering measurable impact where it matters most.

A landmark in South Africa’s renewable energy transition

Project Springbok is a 195MW solar PV facility in Virginia, spanning around 350 hectares and feeding clean electricity into the national grid for allocation to multiple corporate buyers through wheeling arrangements.

As Africa’s first large-scale multi-buyer solar wheeling project, it enables multiple businesses to access clean energy from a single asset under flexible contracting structures, advancing corporate decarbonisation and broadening access to renewable energy across sectors.

Environmental impact: Measurable decarbonisation at scale

At the core of Project Springbok is its environmental contribution. Every megawatt-hour generated replaces fossil fuel-based grid electricity, reducing emissions intensity across the South African power system.

Key environmental outcomes include:

• Approximately 440,000 MWh of renewable energy generated annually 
• Avoids approximately 400,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually
• Equivalent to powering roughly 150,000 households each year
• Significant reduction in reliance on coal-heavy grid electricity

Assuming a 25-year project life: 400,000 tCO₂ x 25 years = 10 million tonnes CO₂ avoided. This is equivalent to removing more than 2 million cars from the road for one year.

By displacing carbon-intensive generation at scale, Springbok plays a direct role in accelerating South Africa’s transition toward a lower-carbon energy mix.

Economic upliftment and local empowerment

Beyond delivering clean energy, the Springbok Solar Project was developed with a strong focus on creating long-term value for the communities that host it. Throughout construction, priority was given to local participation, creating approximately 500 employment opportunities and ensuring that a significant portion of the workforce was drawn from surrounding communities. Particular emphasis was placed on youth inclusion, helping to provide meaningful work experience, skills development and pathways into South Africa’s growing renewable energy sector.

By prioritising local contractors, suppliers and service providers wherever possible, Springbok ensured that a significant portion of project expenditure remained within the region. This resulted in millions of rand being channeled into the local economy, supporting business growth and creating broader economic opportunities for surrounding communities.

As we continue to develop and deliver projects across South Africa, SOLA remains committed to maximising local participation, supporting economic upliftment and ensuring that the benefits of the energy transition are shared with the communities that help make it possible.

SED and CSI initiatives: Investing beyond infrastructure

A core pillar of SOLA’s approach to development is ensuring that projects leave a lasting social legacy.

Through structured Socio-Economic Development (SED) and Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programmes linked to Springbok, focus areas include:

• • Education support and development programmes
  • Local skills development in technical and energy-related fields
  • Community infrastructure & food security support initiatives
  • Youth development, sports & recreational programmes

In this way, Springbok is helping to build sustainable opportunities that will continue long after construction has been completed. These initiatives are designed not as once-off contributions, but as long-term investments in building resilient, future-fit communities that can participate meaningfully in South Africa’s energy economy.

The intent is clear: renewable energy must deliver value beyond electrons.

The road ahead: Scaling impact through energy innovation

As South Africa continues to face energy security and carbon reduction challenges, projects like Springbok demonstrate what is possible when private sector innovation, engineering execution, and long-term sustainability objectives align. For SOLA, Springbok is part of a growing portfolio of utility-scale wheeling assets that collectively enable businesses to transition away from carbon-intensive electricity while supporting national grid stability and economic development.

The impact is not static. It is expanding with every additional megawatt commissioned and every new business that joins the transition.

Become part of the transition

Businesses across South Africa are increasingly seeking ways to stabilise energy costs, reduce carbon exposure, and meet sustainability commitments. Through SOLA’s wheeled energy solutions, companies can directly participate in projects like Springbok by signing long-term or flexible power purchase agreements tailored to their operational needs.

To explore how your business can access clean, cost-effective energy and contribute to projects driving real impact, visit our Buy Energy page today.

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