SolarAfrica has reached financial close on R1,5 billion for SunCentral 2, the next 114 MW phase of its utility-scale solar development in the Northern Cape. The funding, provided by FirstRand Bank through its Rand Merchant Bank division and Investec Bank, supports the construction of the second plant in the SunCentral portfolio with first power expected in 2026.
SunCentral 2 follows the earlier 114 MW SunCentral 1 project. A third plant will complete Phase 1 of the development, bringing total initial capacity to 342 MW. At full scale, the SunCentral programme plans to reach 1 GW.
The projects are designed around bilateral wheeling arrangements enabling multiple offtakers to access utility-scale renewable power without deploying on-site generation assets. According to SolarAfrica, the development is part of a broader 3 GW wheeling pipeline currently under development across South Africa.
A portion of the financing will also be allocated to the project’s main transmission substation engineered for up to 2 GW of evacuation capacity to facilitate grid connection for current and future renewable generation.
SolarAfrica CEO David McDonald says the financial close marks the next stage in delivering long-term infrastructure aimed at providing predictable electricity supply to commercial and industrial users.
