AMEA Power has marked a significant milestone in South Africa's renewable energy programme, with its 120MW Solar PV Project becoming the first project procured under Bid Window 6 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) to achieve Commercial Operation. 

The milestone was commemorated during the Africa Energy Forum (aef), where South Africa’s Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, delivered the keynote address and recognised the role of renewable energy investment in supporting the country's energy security, industrial development and economic growth objectives. 

“Thank you for placing your faith in our country. South Africa will not disappoint. Through your investments, you are contributing to economic growth, creating jobs, developing skills, and empowering our people – and that is a major contribution to our country.” 

Commending AMEA Power’s track record of delivering projects within accelerated timeframes, Minister Ramokgopa noted that the company’s growing presence in South Africa is both encouraging and significant for the country’s energy transition. 

“We are confident that, with partners such as AMEA Power, South Africa will achieve its energy and economic development ambitions.” 

The Minister further expressed his support for AMEA Power’s continued participation in future energy procurement rounds, highlighting the company’s demonstrated ability to deliver projects efficiently and noting their strong commitment to delivering within record time. 

Hosted by AMEA Power Chairman, Mr Hussain Al Nowais, the event brought together representatives from government, the Independent Power Producer Office (IPPO), Eskom Green, financiers, development partners and the broader energy sector to reflect on the role of public-private partnerships in accelerating infrastructure delivery. 

The successful commissioning of the 120MW Solar PV Project represents AMEA Power's first operational asset in South Africa and demonstrates continued investor confidence in the country's renewable energy market. 

Located near Klerksdorp in the North West Province, the project will generate approximately 325GWh of electricity annually, supplying enough power for an estimated 97,000 households while contributing additional generation capacity to South Africa's national grid. At peak construction, the project employed approximately 1,050 people, contributing towards job creation in Klerksdorp and the surrounding areas. In addition, the project contributed to the upliftment of local businesses. 

Furthermore, AMEA Power was awarded two additional projects through Bid Window 2 of the Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (BESIPPPP) in South Africa. Both projects are located in the North West Province, and will each have a capacity of more than 300MWh. 

The project forms part of South Africa's broader efforts to diversify the energy mix, improve energy security and attract investment into strategic infrastructure. As the country advances its energy transition objectives, projects such as the 120MW solar project demonstrate how international investment can be leveraged alongside local partnerships to deliver long-term economic and development outcomes. 

"Through this project, we are deepening our commitment to South Africa and demonstrating our ability to deliver large-scale energy infrastructure that supports national priorities," said Hussain Al Nowais, Chairman of AMEA Power. 

"The South African market remains strategically important to AMEA Power's African growth ambitions. We see significant opportunities to support the country's energy transition while contributing to industrial development, skills development, job creation and broader economic participation." 

The USD120 million project was developed by AMEA Power in partnership with Ziyanda Energy and Dzimuzwo Energy, both wholly owned African women-led energy companies. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to broadening participation within South Africa's energy sector while advancing localisation and transformation objectives. 

Financing for the project included approximately USD100 million in debt provided by Standard Bank South Africa, alongside USD8 million in equity funding from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), enabling meaningful participation by local partners. 

Strengthening Regional Energy Integration 

Beyond adding generation capacity to South Africa’s grid, investments of this nature strengthen the regional energy ecosystem by supporting infrastructure that contributes to the stability and resilience of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP). As Southern African countries continue to pursue greater regional energy integration, renewable energy investments will play an increasingly important role in supporting economic growth and long-term energy security across the region. 

The commissioning of the 120MW solar project also reaffirms the effectiveness of the REIPPPP in attracting private sector investment, enabling infrastructure delivery and fostering partnerships between government, financiers, local businesses and international developers. 

Beyond delivering additional generation capacity to South Africa's grid, investments of this nature strengthen the regional energy ecosystem by supporting the development of generation infrastructure that contributes to the stability and resilience of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP). 

Expanding AMEA Power’s African Footprint 

As AMEA Power expands its footprint across Africa, the company continues to diversify its renewable energy portfolio through investments in solar, wind, battery energy storage and water infrastructure. South Africa remains a key market within this strategy, offering opportunities to support national development priorities while contributing to the broader growth of sustainable energy infrastructure across the continent. 

Among those in attendance were representatives from the Department of Electricity and Energy, the Independent Power Producer Office (IPPO), Eskom Green and other stakeholders involved in advancing South Africa's energy transition. 

The achievement marks an important step for both AMEA Power and South Africa's renewable energy sector, demonstrating how international investment, local partnerships and enabling policy frameworks can work together to accelerate the delivery of energy infrastructure that supports economic growth, energy security and regional development. 

SAWEA