Grootspruit solar PV plant (75 MW)

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The project comprises the construction of Grootspruit solar farm with a capacity of 75MW, located at Allenridge, Free State, South Africa. The sponsors are ENGIE (France), in partnership with Pele Green Energy (South Africa). The total investment for the plant is R1.4 billion or approximately $87.7m. The funding was enabled by a loan that ENGIE has received in November 2024 for the acceleration of its green projects in South Africa. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) provided $81.7 million, as part of a larger co-financing package of up to $545 million, with the participation of International Finance Corporation (IFC) - contribution amount not released, and Proparco - $64.2m (EUR60m). The project was awarded by the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy, South Africa to the Engie – Pele Consortium with a Power Purchase Agreement as part of the 5th Bid Window of the Renewable Energy IPP Procurement Programme (REIPPPP Bid Window 5) in December 2022. The generated power will be supplied to the national electricity provider Eskom. The construction stage started in July 2024. The associated infrastructure includes inverter/transformer enclosures, a grid connection substation, and two 132kV overhead power lines that connect to Eskom’s power grid. https://www.engie-africa.com/articles/engie-commences-construction-on-grootspruit-pv-power-plant/ ; https://africa-energy-portal.org/news/engie-launches-construction-its-grootspruit-solar-farm-south-africa ; https://energynews.pro/en/engie-secures-82-million-loan-to-support-its-solar-projects-in-south-africa/ ; https://theelectricityhub.com/engie-lands-81-7m-to-power-solar-growth-in-south-africa/ ; https://www.proparco.fr/en/carte-des-projets/engie-sll#:~:text=Proparco%20has%20allocated%20EUR%2060m,in%20Poland%20and%20South%20Africa. ;https://www.ifc.org/en/pressroom/2024/ifc-expands-partnership-with-engie-to-boost-renewable-energy-in-emerging-markets ; https://south-africa.edf.com/sites/south_africa/files/2024-03/Oasis%20Nieuwehoop_%20BESS%20Electricity-generation-licence-application-form_public%20issue_0.pdf ; https://www.tips.org.za/manufacturing-data/fdi-tracker/item/download/2314_a00c44d64a02f64492a3f93c9782c7ba ; https://www.dmre.gov.za/energy-resources/reippp-programme ; https://www.gov.za/news/media-statements/minister-gwede-mantashe-announces-5th-bid-window-renewable-energy-ipp