Scatec ASA has moved two solar power projects in Botswana and South Africa into full commercial operation.
A week after confirming progress on the 273 MW Grootfontein solar plant in South Africa, the company also announced the start of the Botswana facility, the second 60 MW phase of the 120 MW Mmadinare Solar Cluster.
Although Scatec is a Norwegian company, it is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most active renewable energy developers.
The Grootfontein plant in Witzenberg Local Municipality, Cape Winelands District, will earn steady income through a 20-year power purchase agreement.
Scatec notes that Grootfontein is the first solar project to reach commercial operation under Bid Round 5 of South Africa’s REIPPP Programme.
The plant is expected to produce 700 GWh of electricity annually, cutting about 630,000 tonnes of CO₂ and becoming one of the largest co-located solar PV clusters in the Western Cape.
Project ownership is split between Scatec with 51%, H1 Holdings with 46.5%, and the Grootfontein Local Community Trust with 2.5%.
Scatec will oversee operations, maintenance, and asset management for the facilities.
The Mmadinare Solar Cluster is Scatec’s first project group in Botswana, with the initial phase active since March 2025.
It is located near the Motloutse River and Letsibogo Dam, around 15 kilometers from Selebi-Phikwe in the Central District.
Revenue will come from a 25-year power purchase agreement with Botswana Power Corporation.
Scatec fully owns the project for now but plans to bring in new equity partners.
Alberto Gambacorta, Scatec’s EVP and GM for Sub-Saharan Africa, says the team is proud to run Botswana’s first utility-scale solar PV plant and to support the country’s long-term energy plans.
source:africaoilgasreport.com
African Energy Council