GQEBERHA- A major renewable energy project aimed at helping businesses in Nelson Mandela Bay to access cleaner and cheaper electricity has officially broken ground in the metro.
Phase 1A of the Parsons Power Park solar development, a 31MWp facility situated near the Coega Special Economic Zone is expected to become one of the region’s key privately developed renewable energy projects when completed in early 2027.
The project, developed by independent power producers Yellow Door Energy, Raw Renewables and Natura Energy will supply renewable electricity to businesses across Nelson Mandela Bay through the municipality’s electricity wheeling network.
Engineering, procurement and construction responsibilities are being handled by Alensy Energy Solutions.
Speaking at the sod-turning ceremony on Tuesday, Yellow Door Energy’s head of large commercial and industrial projects and mergers and acquisitions John Taylor, said the development represented another step forward in South Africa’s transition towards cleaner energy sources.
“We’re excited to reach the ground-breaking milestone at Parsons Power Park. Once completed, the project will supply renewable electricity to businesses in the Coega SEZ and across Nelson Mandela Bay,” Taylor said.
He further emphasised that, the project would contribute to job creation, improved energy security and lower electricity costs for businesses.
The solar park will stretch across 58 hectares roughly the size of 80 football fields and will feature more than 47,000 solar panels mounted on single-axis tracking systems that follow the movement of the sun to improve energy production.
Furthmore, Developers estimate the facility will generate about 60GWh of renewable electricity annually while reducing carbon emissions by more than 54,000 tonnes each year.
Raw Renewables chief executive Jaco Diedericks described wheeled solar projects as an increasingly important solution for businesses struggling with high electricity prices and supply uncertainty.
“Projects of this scale are central to giving South African businesses a real, lower-cost alternative on energy supply,” he said.
Natura Energy managing director Ezio Vernetti said the project reflected growing confidence in South Africa’s renewable energy sector despite ongoing economic challenges.
“Parsons Power Park is more than a generation asset it’s a vote of confidence in South Africa’s clean energy future,” Vernetti said.
In addition construction is expected to create employment opportunities for local residents and contractors through a structured community participation programme.
The electricity generated at the facility will be traded through POWERX, South Africa’s first privately licensed electricity trader approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA).
According to the developers, projects such as Parsons Power Park are becoming increasingly important as electricity wheeling gains momentum nationally, allowing businesses to buy renewable electricity generated far from their premises through existing municipal and grid infrastructure.The project reached financial close in February this year and is scheduled to come online in the first quarter of 2027.
Photograph: Supplied.
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