South Africa’s Sola and African Rainbow reach financial close on two 100 MW solar projects: South African independent power producer Sola and its shareholder African Rainbow Energy and Power (AREP) have reached financial close on two 100 MW solar projects that they’re providing to US titanium dioxide manufacturer Tronox to power its mines and smelters in South Africa, according to South African media outlet Engineering News. AREP is funding the two projects at a cost of ZAR 4 bn (approximately USD 233 mn).

Background: The power purchase agreements for the projects were signed in mid-March and construction is expected to begin imminently, Engineering News notes. When finished, the projects are expected to provide some 40% of Tronox’s South African electricity needs and reduce its emissions by about 13% compared to its 2019 baseline, the company noted in March.

Meanwhile, Namibia’s Swakopmund green hydrogen plant will start producing energy in 2024, an executive at French independent power producer HDF Energy told Reuters. The plant which is being developed by HDF Energy, is dubbed “Africa’s first green hydrogen plant” by the news agency. The USD 181 mn plant will be powered by 85 MW solar panels and produce 142 GWh, enough for 142k residents. Namibia imports close to 40% of its energy needs from South Africa.