Tournee Solar Park marks important step in South Africa’s clean energy transition

Tournee Solar Park has reached an important step under Eskom’s 2022 land lease initiative, becoming the first project to commence construction on land secured through this programme.

In response to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call for “an ambitious, bold and urgent response to the energy crisis,” state utility Eskom signed lease agreements with four Independent Power Producers (IPPs) for commercial use of land parcels at two of its power stations in Mpumalanga. The goal of these agreements is to unlock new clean energy generation capacity on previously underutilised land.

On October 14, 2022, Eskom formalised agreements with the four IPPs for land at the Majuba and Tutuka power stations. Red Rocket, as one of the selected bidders, is the first developer to reach this stage and commence construction on a project from this historic deal. At the time of the agreement in 2022, two parcels of land were secured from Eskom to initiate the project.

Reflecting on the early stages, Sharief Harris, head of Development at Red Rocket, said in 2022: “Feasibility studies commenced alongside Eskom’s procurement process. This approach allowed us to submit proposals that were both aligned with Eskom’s expectations and sustainable for the long term. These sites are ideally suited for solar power and incorporate storage potential, targeting a combined 300 MW capacity.”

Covering an area equivalent to 800 rugby fields, the site was designed for maximum efficiency and long-term impact.

Fast-forward to 2025, and that vision is now coming to life.

“We are proud of our continued partnership with Eskom, and to be the first and only IPP to bring a project from the 2022 innovative land lease initiative to life,” said Matteo Brambilla, CEO of Red Rocket.

“Together with Discovery Green as the off-taker, Tournee Solar Park demonstrates how collaboration between public and private partners can deliver large-scale, clean energy solutions that support South Africa’s energy transition.”

Tournee Solar Park will comprise approximately 463 000 bifacial solar modules mounted on single-axis trackers, connected to the national grid via a 132 kV overhead powerline. Once operational, the park is expected to generate an average of 720 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually over its 20-year lifespan – enough energy to power approximately 224 000 standard South African homes each year.

In addition, the project will help avoid approximately 709 200 metric tonnes of CO₂e emissions annually, making a significant contribution towards national decarbonisation goals.

Brambilla concluded: “Through this significant deal, we are seeing the energy transition unfold in real time as a new era of sustainable infrastructure rises from this historic land, paving a future powered by renewable energy. It’s a clear demonstration of how bold policy and private sector innovation can unlock the clean energy generation South Africa urgently needs.”

Eskom group executive for Renewables, Rivoningo Mnisi, said: “Eskom congratulates Red Rocket on the successful financial close of the Tournee Solar Park. This achievement by Red Rocket, as the first Independent Power Producer to reach this stage under the Eskom Land Lease Programme, marks a significant milestone and exemplifies the potential of public private collaboration to add generation capacity to the grid while accelerating South Africa’s transition to cleaner energy. Eskom remains committed to enabling clean energy solutions that contribute meaningfully to national decarbonisation objectives while ensuring energy security. Eskom Green is dedicated to cooperating with private sector in developing and promoting renewable energy technologies.”