The South African utility says the project is the first step in integrating utility-scale renewables into its existing fleet of coal-fired power stations.
Eskom Green, the renewables arm of South Africa’s electricity utility Eskom, is building a 75 MW solar project in the country’s Free State province.
The Lethabo solar power station, valued at ZAR 1.2 billion ($73.9 million), is expected to generate approximately 147 GWh of electricity annually once completed, equivalent to the power required for an estimated 60,000 households.
Plans for the project were first announced in April 2024. The National Energy Regulator of South Africa granted Eskom a license for the project, which will be located near the 3.7 GW Lethabo Power Plant, in November 2024.
A statement from Eskom says the start of construction marks the first step in integrating utility-scale renewable generation within its existing coal-fired power station fleet infrastructure.
