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Norwegian renewable energy developer Mainstream Renewable Power has achieved commercial operation for its 50MW Ilikwa PV facility, a commercial and industrial (C&I) solar project in South Africa’s Free State province. Situated close to Parys, the plant is co-owned by Mainstream with a 70% share and Investec holding the remaining 30%, with Investec also supplying project financing.
Ilikwa is set to serve a range of clients via adaptable, shorter-term power purchase agreements, as stated by the owners. This arrangement aims to widen access to private renewable power while bolstering energy security and helping firms cut carbon emissions.
Julie Berg, group CEO of Mainstream, noted that this operational milestone underscores the firm’s track record in South Africa over approximately 15 years, building and delivering top-tier renewable projects that generate enduring value for clients, partners, and local communities.
Work on Ilikwa started in October 2024 and wrapped up over a 21-month timeframe. At the height of construction, the project employed more than 2,600 workers. It also emphasized local sourcing and enterprise growth, with regional businesses involved throughout the supply chain.
The start of commercial operations coincides with continued expansion in South Africa’s private power sector. The Global Solar Council reports that the nation’s total solar PV capacity has exceeded 10GW, with about 1.6GW added in 2025 alone. Growth has been fueled by utility-scale and C&I installations, plus a surge in private rooftop solar. The Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme remains a driver for large-scale deployment, while the Integrated Resource Plan, introduced last year, calls for roughly 28.7GW of additional solar PV by 2039, with no new coal capacity slated.
In separate C&I developments, Singapore-based clean energy firm PCG Global has linked a 9.57MW distributed solar PV project in Sulawesi, Indonesia, to the grid. This marks the company’s initial greenfield C&I distributed solar venture in Indonesia, with expected annual output of around 13 million kWh. PCG performed on-site visual and electroluminescence checks, along with grid-connection tests, to spot issues like cell mismatch and micro-cracks. The rooftop installation uses non-penetrative adhesive mounting on trapezoidal roofs to lower leak risks, and a decentralized inverter setup cuts DC cable lengths and related energy losses.
PCG Global also highlighted that the project features an intelligent operations and maintenance system with smart meters, sensors, and communication gear for real-time oversight. Weather data informs module cleaning schedules, while anti-reverse-flow and reverse-power safeguards can remotely switch off inverters if reverse current arises. An AI-driven video surveillance system has been installed for intrusion and fire detection, aiding ongoing upkeep.
PCG is aiming to grow in overseas renewable markets, including Oceania, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Globally, the company has about 1.8GW of renewable projects in development. In July 2026, PCG wrapped up its Pre-Series A funding round, spearheaded by GenZero, Temasek’s fully owned decarbonization investment arm.
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