- The 219 MWdc Orkney solar plant will supply electricity exclusively to Etana Energy
- The project is expected to generate approximately 478 GW annually through wheeling mechanism
- Mulilo and financing backed by South African lenders including Absa and Standard Bank
Renewable energy developer Mulilo announced on Monday, February 23 that it has reached financial close on the 219 MWdc Orkney Solar project, which has an export capacity of 150 MWac. The facility is located approximately 11 kilometers southwest of the city of Orkney in the North West province of South Africa.
All electricity produced will be sold to the South African electricity trading platform Etana Energy under an exclusive power purchase agreement.
The project is expected to generate approximately 478 GW of renewable electricity annually once operational, according to statements issued by the platform's shareholders Mulilo, Etana and Chariot Ltd. The energy will be delivered to Itana's customers through a wheeling mechanism using the national grid and municipal infrastructure.
The project is funded by Mulilo and a consortium of South African financial institutions, including Absa Bank and Standard Bank South Africa.
The installation will be connected to the Jersey substation via a 24-kilometre overhead transmission line, allowing integration into the regional grid. It is also designed to accommodate future battery energy storage systems (BESS), allowing additional storage capacity to improve flexibility and power delivery.
“The financial closure of the Orkney Solar Photovoltaic Project is an important milestone in Mulilo’s commitment to strengthening South Africa’s energy security,” Mulilo chief executive Jan Fourie said.
The Orkney plant is the second project between Mulilo and Etna to reach financial closure within 12 months. Over that period, Etana has secured more than 500 MW of renewable projects, strengthening its ability to meet customer demand. In February, the platform signed a 10-year deal to supply 220 megawatts of renewable electricity per year to mining group Siboney-Stillwater starting in 2027.
Norwegian development finance institution Norfund is a shareholder in both Mulilo and Etana, according to company statements. The dual investment underlines growing investor confidence in South Africa's expanding private power generation market.
Abdallah Diop