Anthem, South Africa’s leading independent power generation company, has officially begun construction on a large-scale notch solar power project in the Free State, marking a major step forward in the country’s renewable energy expansion. The project, worth R9 billion, is currently planned as a stand-alone solar farm, but the company is already preparing for the future integration of a battery energy storage system. CEO James Cumming said battery storage is likely to be added as costs continue to fall and the need for grid flexibility increases. Importantly, the project already has environmental approvals to allow such additions.
With a generating capacity of 475 MWac (equivalent to 620 MW DC), the Notsi project is one of the largest solar power developments in the region. The company recently achieved financial closure, supported by long-term power purchase agreements with energy traders Discovery Green and NOA. These agreements ensure stable demand for the power generated, allowing developers to move forward with confidence while maintaining competitive energy costs.
The project will span approximately 1,000 hectares and include more than 860,000 solar panels, making it a major infrastructure undertaking. Construction responsibility was assigned to a joint venture involving China Energy Engineering Corporation and Northwestern Power Design Institute. The construction phase is expected to be completed within approximately 26 months. While battery storage may not be available right away, the company sees it as a natural next step to improve efficiency and reliability.
The addition of battery storage in the future is expected to improve the factory’s performance in several ways. Electricity generated during the day can be stored and supplied during peak demand. It also allows facilities to support grid stability through ancillary services and reduce energy curtailment risks. This capability will become increasingly important as South Africa moves towards a more competitive wholesale electricity market.
One of the key challenges this project addresses is 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 high-capacity transformers, the company aims to effectively manage costs while ensuring a reliable power supply.
The rise of energy traders in South Africa played a key role in making projects like Notsi possible. By connecting electricity producers and end users, these traders are accelerating the deployment of renewable energy and supporting countries’ transition to more sustainable and resilient power systems.
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