A gigantic utility-scale 1 GW solar PV plant is taking shape piece by piece in South Africa’s Northern Cape province.

The developers have reached financial close on the third and final part of Phase 1 of the SunCentral solar farm being developed between Hanover and De Aar.

Phase 1 comprises three 114 MW facilities with the first expected to come online this year, reports Engineering News.

‘With financial close now achieved across the final part of Phase 1, our focus is fixed on delivery. We are now significantly closer to supplying businesses with affordable, clean energy at scale,’ said David McDonald, CEO of developer SolarAfrica.

Local financial services provider RMB and Investec Bank are funding the latest phase.

Work is also complete on the ZAR1.5 billion main transmission station that will feed SunCentral’s renewable energy into the national electricity grid. Work is already advancing on Phase 2 of SunCentral, with future phases eyeing the inclusion of battery energy storage systems to ensure round-the-clock energy provision.

‘By pairing solar with battery storage, we can offer our customers a greater share of renewable energy within their overall electricity mix, while moving clean energy to periods when demand and electricity costs are typically higher,’ said McDonald.

25 August 2026
Image: Unsplash