• Anthem has reached financial close on the 475 MW Notsi Solar PV project in South Africa’s Free State province.
• The project will supply electricity to commercial and industrial clients through a wheeling model.
• Backed by major banks and investors, it reflects growing private investment in South Africa’s renewable energy sector.

South African renewable energy developer Anthem has reached financial close on the Notsi Solar PV project, a 475 MWac (620 MWdc) facility in the Free State province. The company said on March 5 that the project is currently the largest solar photovoltaic installation in South Africa.

Developed in partnership with Reatile Group, the plant will supply electricity to commercial and industrial customers through a wheeling model, which uses the national grid to deliver privately generated power to buyers. Power purchase agreements have been signed with Discovery Limited and NOA Group for periods exceeding 20 years.

The project will cover more than 1,000 hectares and include around 860,000 solar panels. Anthem estimates the facility will generate about 1.5 million MWh of electricity annually—roughly equivalent to the consumption of 140,000 households.

Debt financing is being provided by a consortium including Standard Bank, Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking, Absa, Vantage Capital, and ThirdWay Partners. Construction will be carried out by a joint venture between CEEC and NWEPDI.

Anthem said it will manage the project’s assets during both the construction and operational phases, before taking over operations and maintenance from the third year.

The announcement comes as the company accelerates the rollout of renewable energy infrastructure in South Africa. In February, Anthem energized the Gamma B Main Transmission Substation, designed to connect three wind farms with a combined capacity of 420 MW to the national grid, also through wheeling arrangements.

Launched in September 2025, Anthem brings together African Clean Energy Developments (ACED) and EIMS Africa under the IDEAS Fund, managed by African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM), with support from the Mahlako Energy Fund and Norfund.

The platform currently holds a secured pipeline of more than 2.7 GW of renewable energy projects in South Africa.

Abdoullah Diop