In a significant milestone for South Africa’s renewable energy landscape, independent power producer Anthem has officially begun construction on the Notsi Solar PV Project. This 475 MWac (620 MWdc) utility-scale photovoltaic facility, located in the Free State province, marks the largest single-phase solar development to achieve financial close and commence construction in the nation’s history. Valued at R9 billion (around US$490 million), the project secured financial closure on March 5, 2026. A consortium led by Standard Bank facilitated the financing, with participation from Nedbank, ABSA, and Vantage GreenX Note.
The Notsi Solar PV Project: A Major Renewable Energy Initiative
The ambitious Notsi Solar Project spans over 1,000 hectares in Free State province—an area known for its fertile land and optimal conditions for solar energy generation. The site is equivalent to over 1,000 rugby fields or approximately 40 runways at major airports like Cape Town and OR Tambo International. The project will deploy more than 860,000 solar panels, anticipated to produce around 1.5 million MWh of clean electricity annually, capable of serving approximately 140,000 South African households each year.
Key Project Details
- Project Name: Notsi Solar PV Project
- Location: Free State Province, South Africa
- Developer: Anthem
- Equity Partner: Reatile Group
- Total Value: R9 billion (~US$490 million)
- Generation Capacity: 475 MWac / 620 MWdc
- Site Area: >1,000 hectares
- Annual Output: ~1,500,000 MWh
- Construction Timeline: March 2026 – Early Summer 2028
- Offtake Agreements: Long-term contracts with Discovery Green and NOA Group
- Significance: Largest solar project in South Africa
Enhancing South Africa’s Energy Infrastructure
The Notsi project not only sets a new scale benchmark but also includes the development of its own transmission substation—a vital infrastructure investment that will be transitioned to Eskom and the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA). This move addresses the historical challenges associated with grid access, an essential step for facilitating private renewable energy projects in the region.
Leadership Vision and Strategic Partnerships
Anthem, which emerged in 2025 through the merger of leading renewable energy firms, is strategically positioned as the project’s lead investor, developer, and operator. With CEO James Cumming articulating Notsi’s significance in providing affordable wholesale energy while simultaneously assisting in essential grid upgrades, the project is poised to make a substantial impact on South Africa’s energy landscape. The equity partnership with Reatile Group aligns the project with the nation’s objectives of energy security and economic transformation, as emphasized by Reatile’s Executive Chairman, Simphiwe Mehlomakulu.
Innovative Offtake and Wheeling Model
The Notsi project employs a sophisticated multi-offtaker wheeling model, which has become a defining feature of South Africa’s private renewable energy market. This structure supports the transmission of generated electricity via Eskom’s national grid to commercial and industrial clients that have entered long-term agreements with Notsi’s energy traders, Discovery Green and NOA Group.
Key Offtakers
Discovery Green, a division of Discovery Limited, and NOA Group are pivotal players, with both companies engaging in agreements that enhance access to competitively priced energy for businesses without requiring direct investment in generation assets.
The Role of Renewable Energy in National Policy
The initiation of the Notsi Solar Project aligns with South Africa’s broader renewable energy ambitions encapsulated in the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). Unveiled in November 2025, this plan aims to integrate 28 GW of new solar capacity into the national grid by 2039. Given the backdrop of severe electricity shortages and extensive load-shedding, projects like Notsi represent a critical step towards a sustainable energy future.
Conclusion: A New Era for South Africa’s Energy Security
The Notsi Solar PV Project stands at the forefront of South Africa’s transition to a decentralized and resilient energy model. By bypassing traditional bottlenecks within the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), and embracing innovative financing structures, the project exemplifies a new era for energy generation that prioritizes efficiency, sustainability, and competitive pricing.
