NOA Secures 349MW Solar Project

Key Figures & Findings: South African independent power producer NOA Group has closed financing on a 349 MW solar PV project in Welkom, Free State, marking a major milestone in the country’s private energy market. The facility—dubbed South Africa’s largest by NOA—is part of a larger 506 MW solar development, which includes the Khauta South and Khauta West plants. The project is backed by a payment guarantee facility from Standard Bank, enabling NOA Trading to mobilize equity and speed up its renewable pipeline. Power from the plant will feed into Eskom’s grid and supply corporate off-takers such as Redefine Properties.

Statistics & Insights: The 349 MW Khauta South facility is expected to go live in Q4 2026, with the adjacent Khauta West plant scheduled for 2027. NOA is also integrating Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to optimize energy dispatch and manage grid constraints.

Future Implications: If completed on schedule, the project could become a blueprint for large-scale IPP-led solar generation in South Africa, especially as load-shedding concerns persist. By 2027, it may also open doors for broader commercial adoption of utility-scale battery storage in the country.

Source: PV Tech