Teraco, Africa’s premier interconnection hub and independent data center provider, has announced a significant milestone: securing its inaugural grid capacity allocation from Eskom. This achievement paves the way for the commencement of construction on a groundbreaking 120MW utility-scale solar PV energy facility in South Africa’s Free State province.
The allocation from Eskom authorizes Teraco to connect its planned solar facility to the national grid, facilitating the transmission of generated power across Eskom and municipal networks to Teraco’s facilities nationwide.
Jan Hnizdo, CEO of Teraco, underscores the strategic importance of this milestone, stating, “This allocation marks a significant stride toward fulfilling our renewable energy aspirations, as well as those of our clients. It’s just the beginning of our long-term commitment to renewable energy. Securing these approvals has been a lengthy process, and now our focus shifts to swift execution.”
Hnizdo emphasizes the project’s significance in addressing South Africa’s energy challenges while advancing renewable energy goals. “This initiative not only enhances our energy capacity but also underscores our commitment to sustainable growth and digital transformation across Africa,” he notes.
The 120MW solar PV plant, upon completion, is projected to generate over 338,000MWh annually, contributing significantly to Teraco’s goal of achieving 100% clean energy. Bryce Allan, Teraco’s Head of Sustainability, highlights the company’s holistic approach to sustainability, which includes the deployment of roof-top solar across its facilities and future expansion plans.
Teraco has forged strategic partnerships with JUWI Renewable Energies South Africa and Subsolar to realize the solar PV plant. JUWI will oversee the design, procurement, construction, and commissioning phases of the project. Notably, Teraco has secured a green loan to finance the plant, signaling its commitment to responsible financing and sustainable development.
The concept of wheeling renewable energy underscores the project’s innovation, enabling efficient transmission of renewable energy from production sites to urban consumption centers. This approach optimizes renewable energy generation potential while bolstering grid resilience and sustainability.
Teraco’s venture into solar energy underscores its leadership in driving sustainable innovation and powering the digital transformation landscape across Africa.
