French renewable energy developer Voltalia has commissioned the 148 MW Bolobedu solar farm in Limpopo, South Africa. The facility now delivers power via wheeling to Richards Bay Minerals (RBM), a subsidiary of Anglo-Australian mining and metals giant Rio Tinto.
Bolobedu is one of the largest solar facilities in South Africa dedicated to serving the energy needs of a single company, utilizing Eskom’s transmission network through a wheeling agreement.
The solar plant is expected to generate approximately 300 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of power per year, reducing CO₂ emissions by more than 237,000 metric tons annually—equivalent to the yearly electricity consumption of around 425,000 people.
“The full commissioning of Bolobedu, the first large-scale photovoltaic project of this kind developed in South Africa for a private client, illustrates our commitment to accelerating the decarbonisation of industries and supporting an inclusive energy transition in the country, in close partnership with local communities,” said Robert Klein, Chief Executive Officer of Voltalia.
Werner Duvenhage, Managing Director of RBM, added: “The commissioning of the Bolobedu Solar Farm is a defining moment for RBM as we celebrate 50 years of operations in South Africa. This initiative is not just about energy security, but also about the long-term sustainability of our mining operations. As we break ground on Zulti South, this initiative paves the way for a cleaner energy future, contributing to both the national power grid and our global decarbonization targets.”
Contributing to socio-economic change in Bolobedu
During construction of the project, approximately 800 residents from the three host communities were employed, including 56% youth and 21% women. Local workers received on-the-job training in engineering support, solar panel installation, and health, safety, and environment (HSE) awareness—offering many their first formal employment opportunities.
Additionally, the project has stimulated a growing local value chain, supporting transport cooperatives, women-led catering services, and handicraft initiatives. Voltalia states that these socio-economic impacts, combined with long-term skills development programmes, demonstrate its commitment to an inclusive and sustainable energy transition in Bolobedu.
South Africa has committed to an ambitious energy transition to reduce its dependence on coal, which still accounts for a significant share of its electricity generation. The country aims to massively develop renewable energy in order to secure its supply, reduce CO₂ emissions, and meet the climate objectives set under the Paris Agreement. This strategy is supported by partnerships with private and international stakeholders to accelerate the implementation of sustainable projects and strengthen the resilience of the power system.
