SunCentral reaches major delivery milestone with initial cluster energised and transmission infrastructure completed

SunCentral energisation and the handover of the Aquila Main Transmission Substation mark the final major milestone before commercial operations begin in the coming weeks.

De Aar, Northern Cape, 27 August 2026: Yesterday, SolarAfrica and Proconics NewFields marked the completion and energisation of SunCentral 1, the first 114 MW facility within the solar farm’s first phase, alongside the official handover of the Aquila Main Transmission Substation (MTS) to Eskom and the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA). Together, these milestones bring the initial phases of one of South Africa’s largest utility-scale wheeling developments to the threshold of commercial operation.

The occasion was celebrated at the SunCentral solar farm, located between Hanover and De Aar, Northern Cape, and attended by representatives from SolarAfrica, Proconics, Eskom, NTCSA, local community stakeholders and government representatives. These included the Honourable Dr Zamani Saul, Premier of the Northern Cape; Honourable Venus Blennies-Magage, MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism; Cllr Gladwell Lulamile Nkumbi, Executive Mayor; and Mr Disang Humphrey Molaole, Municipal Manager – the latter two representing Emthanjeni Local Municipality.

Mr Khathazile Tolong, Pixley ka Seme District Manager for the Northern Cape Department of Roads and Public Works and NTCSA Projects Delivery and Western Portfolio Programme Manager, Mr Nkibi Nkwana, also spoke at the event, where guests witnessed the official handover of the Aquila MTS connecting SunCentral’s renewable energy to South Africa’s national grid. The Premier commented that this project reaffirms the Northern Cape’s competitive advantage as a renewable energy leader and aligns perfectly with the Northern Cape’s industrialisation plans, with energy as a key enabler.

Image supplied by SolarAfrica: From left to right: Cllr Gladwell Lulamile Nkumbi, David McDonald (SolarAfrica), Honourable Dr Zamani Saul, Melvin Jones (Proconics), Nkibi Nkwana (NTCSA)

David McDonald, CEO of SolarAfrica, says: “Completing energisation of the initial cluster of SunCentral Phase 1 demonstrates that large-scale wheeling projects can be delivered successfully in South Africa. It represents years of planning and collaboration between the private sector, Eskom, NTCSA and our project partners.”

McDonald says that as construction and energisation of both the solar facility and its associated transmission infrastructure have now been completed, the initial cluster of SunCentral Phase 1 will officially enter Commercial Operation Date (COD) in the coming weeks, with customer energy supply and billing expected to commence during the fourth quarter of this year.

SunCentral is being developed as a utility-scale solar PV plant supplying multiple commercial and industrial customers through wheeling. Originally developed by global renewable energy leader Soventix South Africa, SolarAfrica continues to partner with the company as co-developer of SunCentral’s future phases.  PowerChina serves as principal developer of the solar facilities. Phase 1 comprises three 114 MW solar facilities with a combined generation capacity of 342 MW. Once fully developed, SunCentral is expected to deliver up to 1 GW of renewable energy capacity. Every component of the facility – from overhead lines, solar fields, and transmission infrastructure – was designed and built from the ground up to maximise power generation in the sun-rich Northern Cape region.

Image supplied by SolarAfrica: Handing over the Aquila MTS

The Aquila MTS is a critical component of the project; it represents SolarAfrica’s R1.35 billion investment and now forms part of South Africa’s transmission network following its handover to NTCSA. Engineered for up to 2 GVA of green power evacuation capacity, the facility houses a 500 MVA transformer and provides the critical connection between SunCentral and the national transmission grid, while supporting regional grid stability.

The MTS will strengthen South Africa’s transmission network while enabling renewable energy to flow where it is needed most. Says Fana Tlhalepe, Chief Delivery Officer at SolarAfrica,”The MTS is SolarAfrica’s first greenfield transmission substation, delivered under the self-build principle, and it signifies our capability to develop, finance, engineer, construct and commission large-scale renewable energy projects. It’s a crucial demonstration of our ability to unlock over 1 GW of renewable energy into South Africa’s national grid. It also underpins our commitment to create long-term shared value for the communities of De Aar and Hanover.”

The substation was engineered and constructed by Proconics NewFields, a South African Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) company and principal developer of the transmission infrastructure. Melvin Jones, Group CEO for Proconics Holdings, says that the successful completion and handover of the Aquila MTS represents a significant engineering achievement and demonstrates the capability of South African EPC organisations to deliver complex grid infrastructure at scale.

“As an official NTCSA-approved engineering and construction partner on this project, Proconics is proud to have worked alongside SolarAfrica, Eskom and NTCSA to deliver an asset that will support the integration of renewable energy into the national grid for decades to come. More importantly, this project provides the critical transmission infrastructure required to unlock future renewable generation and strengthen South Africa’s energy security,” added Jones.

With the first cluster nearing commercial operation, development of the broader SunCentral programme is already progressing, with the remaining Phase 1 clusters set to be complete in the coming months. Future phases are expected to increasingly combine utility-scale solar generation with battery energy storage systems (BESS), allowing renewable energy to be supplied beyond daylight hours and increasing the proportion of clean energy available to customers while supporting a more resilient electricity grid.

“SunCentral has shown what can be achieved when industry, government and project partners pull in the same direction. It’s bringing more renewable energy into the market, giving businesses greater choice and affordability in how they procure electricity, while developing the infrastructure that will support South Africa’s energy future,” concludes McDonald.

For more info, please contact: SolarAfrica & Proconics NewFields