Notsi Solar PV Project: South Africa’s Largest Renewable Energy Initiative
Cape Town, South Africa, 5 March 2026 – Anthem, a frontrunner in renewable energy investment in the country, has successfully achieved financial closure for its groundbreaking 475MWac (620MWdc) Notsi solar photovoltaic (PV) project. This innovative project, located in the Free State, is celebrated as the largest solar PV installation in South Africa and has been designed to supply power to the commercial and industrial sectors through strategic offtake agreements with Discovery Green and NOA.
Project Overview
The Notsi Project spans over 1,000 hectares, utilizing more than 860,000 solar panels. To put this into perspective, its footprint is comparable to over 1,000 rugby fields or more than 40 runways at major airports like Cape Town or OR Tambo International. With an estimated annual energy output of approximately 1,500,000 MWh, Notsi is poised to power around 140,000 homes each year, contributing significantly to South Africa’s energy landscape.
Investment and Development
As the lead investor, developer, generator, and long-term operator of the Notsi Project, Anthem has partnered with the Reatile Group for equity. The project is unique in its multi-offtaker wheeling model, leveraging agreements with Eskom to transmit power over the national grid while maintaining trading agreements with Discovery Green and NOA, set to last over 20 years.
James Cumming, CEO of Anthem, emphasized the project’s significant size, stating that Notsi aims to deliver low-cost wholesale power to the private market. This initiative not only supports grid improvements initiated by Eskom but also embodies the essential role of solar energy wheeling in South Africa.
Strategic Partnerships
Simphiwe Mehlomakulu, Founder and Executive Chairman of the Reatile Group, noted the importance of local investment in renewable energy, highlighting that Notsi demonstrates scalable generation capacity and contributes to energy security while accelerating the energy transition in South Africa.
The financing for this ambitious venture has been secured through a consortium comprised of leading banks such as Standard Bank, Nedbank, and ABSA, along with Vantage GreenX Note III and Third Way Investment Partners. The Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) responsibilities have been awarded to a joint venture between China Energy Engineering Corporation (CEEC) and the Northwest Electric Power Design Institute (NWEPDI).
Socio-Economic Impact and Development
Apart from generating clean energy, the Notsi Project is committed to fostering local socio-economic developments, with plans for investments during the operational phase. These efforts will be directed by community needs to maximize resource efficiency.
Andre Nepgen, CEO of Discovery Green, highlighted the project’s advantage, stating that achieving financial close brings substantial renewable energy capacity to the grid, particularly beneficial for businesses seeking stable energy prices while transitioning to sustainable practices.
Similarly, Karel Cornelissen, Group CEO of NOA, commented on the project’s significance in enhancing South Africa’s renewable energy market. With Notsi, NOA is nearing 1.5 GW of generation capacity through its diverse portfolio, ensuring reliable long-term clean energy solutions for commercial and industrial clients.
Conclusion: Future of Renewable Energy in South Africa
The Notsi project exemplifies a collaborative effort among various entities, signaling a promising future for renewable energy in South Africa. With an extensive portfolio exceeding 1 GW in wind and solar projects targeting private offtake, Anthem is poised to reshape the energy landscape.
Anthem’s innovative multi-offtaker, wholesale model represents the future, expanding access to clean electricity for a diverse range of customers. This initiative is crucial for strengthening energy security and promoting sustainable economic development across South Africa.
For more information on renewable energy initiatives, visit Anthem’s website.
