Sola Group has Construction has started on a 435MWp solar and battery project that will provide wheel dispatchable power to Sasol and Air Liquide.
Sola Group Has closed on financing and begun construction on South Africa's first utility-scale solar and battery storage project, designed to be wheel dispatchable. Renewable energy For private industrial users across the grid.
Naos-1 project is located near viljoeskroon In the Free State, it includes 435MWp of solar PV capacity and 855MWh of battery energy storage. Sasol and Air Liquide have signed a 25-year power purchase agreement for 660MWh of storage capacity, with the remainder available for other uses.
The hybrid design addresses one of the major limitations of traditional solar projects: the inability to meet peak evening demand. By storing solar energy during the day and sending it to the grid when it needs it most, the project provides offtakers with a reliable supply of clean energy at what Sola describes as a competitive tariff. No pricing details were disclosed.
“NAOS-1 is a major step forward for dispatchable renewable energy in South Africa’s private electricity market,” Jonathan Skeen, Sola’s MD of commercial operations, said in a statement on Tuesday.
Sasol said the project is part of its broader shift towards a low-carbon energy portfolio. Air Liquide's Africa, Middle East and India CEO Nicolas Poirot said this reflects a commitment to decarbonising what he described as the world's largest oxygen production site, located in South Africa.
financing
The project was funded through a multi-loan process led by the Development Bank of Southern Africa with Nedbank, RMB, Investec and Absa as the largest senior debt provider. Equity financing was provided by RMB and Sanlam. The project is 100% South African owned.
Reading: Solar, wind and smart grids – technologies transforming South Africa's mining sector
Sola said Naos-1 is the first of several hybrid projects it is developing, with a capacity of 600 MW in the advanced stage. The company's operating and under construction portfolio now exceeds 1GW. Commercial operation is targeted for the first half of 2028. – © 2026 NewsCentral Media
Get breaking news from TechCentral on WhatsApp. Sign up here.