The commissioning of the cluster represents an important step in the private-sector partnerships dynamic that is emerging as a pertinent model in South Africa’s electricity market.
EDF power solutions is a global energy corporation and Anglo American is a global mining company. Envusa Energy is the result of this partnership, developing and supplying cutting edge renewable energy solutions, at scale, across a wide variety of energy intensive sectors in South Africa like mines (platinum and iron ore producers among others) and industries.
Koruson 2 consists of the 240 MW Mooi Plaats solar farm, the 140 MW Umsobomvu wind farm and the 140 MW Hartebeesthoek wind farm. It is the first project cluster in South Africa to be developed through a private platform. Revenues are secured through long-term power purchase agreements and the project’s financing structure comprises 85 percent debt provided by local banks.
The project was structured from the outset to deliver tangible benefits to surrounding communities and to advance black economic empowerment. Pele Green Energy, an established South African independent power producer, holds a 20 percent equity stake in the three Koruson 2 project companies. Moreover, a Community Trust has been established, ensuring that local communities participate directly in the financial benefits generated over the 20-year operating life of each asset.
Beyond its scale and delivery, Koruson 2 is also notable for how electricity is supplied, as the power generated across the cluster is transmitted via Eskom’s (the state-owned national electricity public utility) national grid to multiple industrial offtakers.
EDF power solutions has utilised its industrial expertise and long-term operating capabilities through Envusa Energy to respond to a changing environment in which private-sector demand has become a key driver of new capacity.
Present in South Africa since 2009, EDF power solutions will reach 1.5 GW of installed capacity in operation in the country in 2027, including wind and solar power as well as batteries and innovative solutions.
“The successful commissioning of Koruson 2, demonstrates that large-scale renewable corporate PPA projects serve the decarbonisation of the mining industry, accelerating the energy transition in South Africa” said Tristan de Drouas, Vice President Southern Africa at EDF power solutions.
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