South Africa’s state power utility Eskom has launched an ambitious R1.2 billion renewable energy programme that will embed solar power directly into its existing coal-fired power station network, signalling a decisive shift in how the utility plans to bridge its energy transition.
The flagship project is a 75 MW solar facility at the Lethabo Power Station in the Free State — the first of 17 priority solar projects planned across Eskom’s generation fleet. Construction is set to begin in phases between now and 2028, with the broader programme targeting the addition of approximately 6 GW of new generation capacity by 2030 through the repurposing of existing power station sites.
Projects are also planned at Arnot, Duvha, Majuba, Tutuka, Komati, Kendal, Kusile, Hendrina, Camden, and Grootvlei power stations. Eskom said harnessing existing infrastructure will lower development costs, accelerate timelines, and enhance grid stability as renewables are integrated into the national system.
Once operational, the Lethabo solar plant is expected to generate approximately 147 GWh of electricity annually — enough to power around 60,000 households — while creating jobs and supporting skills development locally.
Eskom Group Executive for Generation Bheki Nxumalo said the initiative reflects the utility’s strategy to optimise existing assets while expanding cleaner capacity. “Bringing this solar plant into the Lethabo Power Station site affirms our deliberate strategy to optimise existing assets while accelerating new lower-carbon generation capacity,” he said, noting that coal remains important for grid stability even as renewables are progressively integrated.
To manage financing, Eskom will structure renewable projects through Special Purpose Vehicles and project finance models — an approach intended to ease pressure on the utility’s strained balance sheet. The utility is also developing a pipeline of more than 32 GW of renewable energy and storage projects planned through 2040.
Source: angolanminingoilandgas.com