Eskom Begins Construction of 75MW Solar Plant at Lethabo

South Africa’s power utility Eskom has started construction of a 75MW solar photovoltaic (PV) facility at its Lethabo Power Station in the Free State, marking a key milestone in the company’s energy transition strategy.

Developed through Eskom Green, the utility’s renewable energy division, the project is the first large-scale renewable energy facility to be integrated into Eskom’s existing coal-fired generation fleet. The initiative forms part of the utility’s broader Just Energy Transition programme aimed at diversifying South Africa’s electricity mix while maintaining security of supply.

Once operational, the solar plant is expected to generate approximately 147GWh of electricity annually, supplying power to around 60,000 households. The project is also expected to create employment opportunities and support skills development during both construction and operations.

The Lethabo solar development is one of 17 priority renewable energy and storage projects planned across Eskom’s power station network. Construction of these projects is expected to take place between now and 2028 as the utility accelerates the deployment of lower-carbon generation capacity.

According to Eskom Green, the project demonstrates how existing power station infrastructure can be leveraged to integrate renewable energy technologies efficiently. By utilising established grid connections and operational assets, Eskom aims to reduce development costs and speed up project implementation.

The broader programme is expected to add around 6GW of new generation capacity by 2030. Planned developments will be located at several Eskom sites, including Arnot, Duvha, Majuba, Tutuka, Komati, Kendal, Kusile, Hendrina, Camden and Grootvlei.
Funding for the renewable energy rollout has been included in Eskom’s approved capital expenditure programme and will be financed on a balance-sheet basis, in line with National Treasury debt relief conditions.

Alongside projects on Eskom-owned land, Eskom Green is pursuing a wider growth strategy focused on partnerships, co-development opportunities and acquisitions of advanced-stage renewable energy projects. The division intends to build a diversified portfolio that includes solar PV, wind, battery energy storage systems (BESS), pumped storage and green hydrogen.

To support delivery, Eskom Green plans to utilise project finance structures and dedicated special purpose vehicles (SPVs), limiting exposure to Eskom’s balance sheet. The strategy is expected to advance a pipeline of more than 32GW of renewable energy and storage projects by 2040, supporting emissions reductions, strengthening energy security and helping customers meet decarbonisation goals.