Huawei Digital Power Sub-Saharan Africa has been chosen as the exclusive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partner for the Palabora Mining Company (PMC) solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) project. This flagship initiative is led by the Mzansi Energy Consortium and Journey 2 Green (J2G). The agreement was formalized during a signing ceremony at the 2025 SNEC Expo in Shanghai.
The Mzansi Energy Consortium, led by Journey 2 Green, is the project development entity established to design, finance, and deliver the PMC renewable energy project with key technology and infrastructure partners.
This landmark energy initiative will deliver South Africa’s first utility-scale grid-forming system, supplying clean power to Palabora Mining Company through integrated solar PV and advanced battery storage (BESS). It includes a dedicated 132kV transmission line connecting to Eskom’s main substation, enabling power wheeling through the national grid. Powered by Huawei’s cutting-edge grid-forming (GFM) technology, the system will enhance grid stability and enable seamless synchronisation with Eskom’s transmission infrastructure.
“We commend Journey 2 Green on reaching this significant milestone,” said Will Meng, CEO of Huawei South Africa. “Grid-forming will be central to the future of energy systems, particularly in South Africa. In any emerging sector, the first mover often becomes the market leader, and we believe Journey 2 Green is exceptionally well positioned to lead this space.”
With South Africa’s energy system under strain, grid-forming technology is emerging as a critical enabler of stability, scalability, and decarbonisation. This project positions South Africa as a continental leader in next-generation energy infrastructure and marks a significant breakthrough for public-private collaboration in the energy transition.
South Africa’s energy transition demands bold, bankable solutions, and this project delivers just that,” said Wessel Wessels, CEO of Journey 2 Green and COO of the Mzansi Energy Consortium.
“What we have developed stands out for its scale, technical depth, and integrated delivery model, from grid-forming capability to shared risk and execution efficiency. Our partnership with Huawei strengthens this approach through world-class technology, proven systems, and the ability to deploy at speed and scale.”
“Utility-scale projects of this magnitude are never simple,” Meng added. “They require trust, coordination, and shared commitment. Huawei is fully invested in the success of this partnership, and I will personally ensure our teams provide the support needed from engineering to execution.”
This collaboration builds reliable, future-ready infrastructure and accelerates South Africa’s progress toward energy security.
Palabora Mining project overview
The Palabora Mining Company (PMC) renewable energy project is a large-scale solar and battery installation designed to strengthen South Africa’s power grid while reducing industrial emissions. It combines a solar photovoltaic (PV) plant with a high-capacity battery energy storage system (BESS), using grid-forming technology to help stabilise voltage and frequency on the national grid, a critical requirement as Eskom integrates more renewable sources.
A dedicated 132kV transmission line will connect the site to the nearest Eskom transmission substation, enabling power wheeling across the grid and allowing PMC to offset its demand through clean energy. The project reflects a growing shift in how large-scale renewables are delivered in South Africa: risk is being moved from the field to the factory, with pre-integrated solutions developed alongside strategic technology partner Huawei. This approach improves quality, accelerates timelines, and sets a new benchmark for mine-based decarbonisation and energy resilience.
