NEWS

Anthem, a leading independent power producer in South Africa, has officially started construction of its large-scale Notsi solar photovoltaic project in the Free State, marking a major step forward in the country’s renewable energy expansion. The project, valued at R9 billion, is currently planned as a standalone solar facility, but the company is already preparing for future integration of a battery energy storage system. According to CEO James Cumming, there is a strong possibility that battery storage will be added as costs continue to decline and the need for grid flexibility increases. Importantly, the project has already secured environmental approvals that allow for such an addition.

With a generation capacity of 475 MWac, equivalent to 620 MWdc, the Notsi project is among the largest solar developments in the region. It recently achieved financial closure, supported by long-term power purchase agreements with energy traders Discovery Green and NOA. These agreements ensure a stable demand for the electricity produced, giving the developer confidence to move ahead while maintaining a competitive cost of energy.

The project will span around 1,000 hectares and include more than 860,000 solar panels, making it a significant infrastructure undertaking. Construction responsibilities have been assigned to a joint venture involving China Energy Engineering Corporation and the Northwest Electric Power Design Institute. The construction phase is expected to be completed within approximately 26 months. While battery storage may not be implemented immediately, the company sees it as a natural next step to improve efficiency and reliability.

One of the key challenges addressed by the project is the limited grid infrastructure. Anthem is developing the Artemis Main Transmission Substation as part of the project, which will later be transferred to Eskom. By investing in its own grid connection and utilizing a high-capacity transformer, the company aims to manage costs effectively while ensuring reliable power delivery.