• SOLA reaches financial close on 300 MW Naos-1 project

• Hybrid plant to supply Sasol, Air Liquide via grid

• Operations targeted first half 2028, backed by local banks

South African independent power producer SOLA Group said on Monday it had reached financial close on the Naos-1 project, a hybrid solar and battery storage plant that will supply renewable electricity to Sasol and Air Liquide via the national grid under wheeling arrangements.

Located near Viljoenskroon in South Africa’s Free State province, Naos-1 will have 300 MW (435 MWc) of solar capacity combined with 660 MWh of battery storage. The project is backed by long-term power purchase agreements with Sasol and Air Liquide. Its hybrid design will allow solar power generated during the day to be stored and dispatched during peak demand periods, particularly in the evening, ensuring a more reliable supply of dispatchable electricity to industrial customers. Commercial operations are targeted for the first half of 2028.

“Naos-1 represents a major step forward for dispatchable renewable energy in South Africa’s private power market and is the result of close collaboration with Sasol and Air Liquide over several months,” said Jonathan Skeen, chief commercial officer of SOLA Group. “The project aligns with SOLA’s objective of turning solar generation into affordable on-demand power for our clients and supports our target of reaching 2 GW of solar capacity and 5 GWh of storage by 2030.”

Described as the largest privately contracted solar-plus-storage project to reach financial close in South Africa, Naos-1 is backed by local financial institutions including the Development Bank of Southern Africa. Construction will be carried out by a joint venture between SOLA Build and WBHO.

The project forms part of a broader industrial decarbonisation drive. In October 2025, Sasol and Air Liquide commissioned the 97.5 MW Damlaagte solar plant, the first facility brought online under their joint 900 MW renewable energy programme.

Separately, SOLA Group in 2025 commissioned the 195 MW Springbok plant ahead of schedule, described as the country’s largest operational wheeling facility. The projects underscore the growing role of wheeling in supplying renewable electricity to large industrial consumers in South Africa and reflect the expansion of the electricity sector to private operators.

Abdoullah Diop