• 219 MWdc Orkney solar plant to supply power exclusively to Etana Energy

• Project expected to generate about 478 GWh annually via wheeling mechanism

• Financing backed by Mulilo and South African lenders including Absa and Standard Bank

Renewable energy developer Mulilo announced on Monday, February 23, that it had reached financial close on the 219 MWdc Orkney solar project, which has an export capacity of 150 MWac. The facility is located about 11 kilometers southwest of the town of Orkney in South Africa’s North West province.

All electricity produced will be sold to South African power trading platform Etana Energy under an exclusive power purchase agreement.

According to statements released by Mulilo, Etana and Chariot Limited, a shareholder in the platform, the project is expected to generate about 478 GWh of renewable electricity annually once operational. The energy will be delivered to Etana’s customers through a wheeling mechanism using the national grid and municipal infrastructure.

The project is financed by Mulilo and a consortium of South African financial institutions, including Absa Bank and Standard Bank South Africa.

The installation will be connected to the Jersey substation via a 24-kilometer overhead transmission line, enabling integration into the regional grid. It has also been designed to accommodate a future battery energy storage system (BESS), allowing for additional storage capacity to improve flexibility and power distribution.

“The financial close of the Orkney Solar photovoltaic project marks an important milestone in Mulilo’s commitment to strengthening South Africa’s energy security,” said Jan Fourie, chief executive of Mulilo.

The Orkney plant is the second project to reach financial close between Mulilo and Etana within 12 months. Over that period, Etana has secured more than 500 MW of renewable projects, strengthening its ability to meet client demand. In February, the platform signed a 10-year agreement to supply 220 MW per year of renewable electricity to mining group Sibanye-Stillwater starting in 2027.

Norwegian development finance institution Norfund is a shareholder in both Mulilo and Etana, according to company statements. The dual investment underscores growing investor confidence in South Africa’s expanding private power generation market.

Abdoullah Diop