The plant will supply 300GWh annually and reduce emissions by more than 237,000tpa.
Renewable energy producer Voltalia has begun full operations at the 148MW Bolobedu solar farm in Limpopo, South Africa.
Electricity is wheeled through Eskom’s transmission network to Richards Bay Minerals (RBM), a subsidiary of Rio Tinto, under a long-term corporate power purchase agreement.
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The facility is expected to generate around 300GW-hours (GWh) a year and is projected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by more than 237,000 tonnes per annum (tpa).
The output equates to the yearly electricity consumption of approximately 425,000 people.
Construction activities provided employment for around 800 residents from three host communities, including 56% youth and 21% women, according to the company.
Local workers received on-the-job training in engineering support, panel installation, and health, safety and environment practices.
The project also procured services from local transport cooperatives, catering businesses led by women and handicraft providers, alongside longer-term skills development programmes.
Voltalia said that two local women investors partnered in the project, describing Bolobedu as the first large-scale renewable energy development in the area backed exclusively by women investors.
Voltalia CEO Robert Klein said: “The full commissioning of Bolobedu, the first large-scale photovoltaic project of this kind developed in South Africa for a private client, illustrates our commitment to accelerating the decarbonisation of industries and supporting an inclusive energy transition in the country, in close partnership with local communities.”
RBM managing director Werner Duvenhage said: “This initiative is not just about energy security but also about the long-term sustainability of our mining operations. As we break ground on Zulti South, this initiative paves the way for a cleaner energy future, contributing to both the national power grid and our global decarbonisation targets.”
The company signed a strategic partnership with IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, in October 2025 to advance Power-to-Mine projects across Africa.
In March 2025, Voltalia entered into a power sale agreement with JSC Uzenergosotish for its 526MW Artemisya hybrid project in Uzbekistan.
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