SAPVIA urges strategic approach to localisation from solar boom

There are gaps in South Africa’s ability to effectively localise manufacturing and fully capture the economic benefits of the energy transition that is being driven by rapid solar PV expansion, rising electricity tariffs and private sector investment, says industry organisation the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA). This rapid growth in demand presents opportunities for local manufacturing of certain components, but local manufacturing participation in the solar value chain remains limited. Most high-value components, such as PV modules, inverters and trackers and lithium-ion batteries, are still imported.
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Discovery Green inks 10yr PPA to supply Afrox’s Kuilsrivier ASU with renewable energy

Industrial gases and welding products company Afrox has signed a ten-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with renewable energy trading company Discovery Green to supply renewable energy to Afrox’s Kuilsriver air separation unit (ASU), in Cape Town. Discovery Green will provide the ASU with about 28 GWh/y of renewable electricity under the agreement, starting in April 2028, from a diversified portfolio of wind and solar assets across the Western Cape, Mpumalanga and the Free State.
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South Africa poised for record IPP deployments in 2026

South Africa’s utility-scale renewables and battery storage market is poised for a record year of installations, a new research note produced by the Power Futures Lab at the UCT Graduate School of Business shows. Authors Dr Olakunle Alao and Dr Wikus Kruger state that six projects with a combined capacity of 1 787 MW had already advanced to financial close by April 30, while a further 27 projects, representing 3 575 MW, are poised to achieve that milestone by year-end.
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