Dubai-based renewable energy developer AMEA Power has commissioned the 120 MW Doornhoek solar power plant in South Africa. The facility is the first project under Bid Window 6 of South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) to reach commercial operations, and is also the company’s first operational asset in South Africa.
Located near the town of Klerksdorp in South Africa’s North West province, the Doornhoek solar plant is expected to deliver 325 GWh of clean energy annually, power approximately 97,000 households, and avoid over 330,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year.
“Reaching completion of our 120MW solar PV project in South Africa, is a significant milestone for AMEA Power and a meaningful contribution to South Africa’s energy transition objectives,” commented Hussain Al Nowais, Chairman of AMEA Power.
“As the first project under Bid Window 6 to reach this stage, it demonstrates what can be achieved through strong collaboration between government, financiers, and the private sector in delivering nationally prioritised infrastructure,” Al Nowais added.
The project was financed through USD 100 million (approximately ZAR1.8 billion) in debt provided by Standard Bank South Africa, alongside USD 8 million (approximately ZAR150 million) in equity funding from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to support the participation of local partners.
At peak construction, the project employed approximately 1,050 people, contributing towards job creation in Klerksdorp and the surrounding areas. In addition, the project contributed to the upliftment of local businesses.
Doornhoek boosts AMEA Power’s African portfolio
According to AMEA Power, the addition of the Doornhoek solar power plant reinforces its growing footprint across the African continent, where it continues to play a pivotal role in accelerating the energy transition. The company was also awarded two additional projects through Bid Window 2 of the Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (BESIPPPP) in South Africa. Both projects are located in the North West Province and will each have a capacity of more than 300 MWh.
AMEA Power partnered with local South African companies Ziyanda Energy and Dzimuzwo Energy—both wholly owned by African women—to implement the Doornhoek project. The Emirati developer highlighted that this partnership reflects its continued commitment to inclusive economic participation and meaningful transformation within South Africa’s energy sector.
Furthermore, AMEA Power is implementing a range of initiatives designed to support educational philanthropic initiatives, skills development for vulnerable groups such as youth and the elderly, supporting local Non Profit Organisations “NPOs” with social enterprise and cohesion initiatives.
The initiatives are expected to contribute towards the long-term socio-economic growth within the surrounding communities. About six schools, four Early Childhood Development “ECD” centres and fifteen local NPOs are beneficiaries of AMEA Power’s educational initiatives.
