French Energy Firm Voltalia Commissions 148MW Bolobedu Solar Plant To Power Rio Tinto’s South African Mining Operations

French firm Voltalia brings the Bolobedu solar farm online in South Africa to power Rio Tinto's mining operations and reduce carbon emissions by 237k tonnes.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 10, 2026, 5:18 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Business Insider Africa

Decarbonizing Heavy Industry in Limpopo

In a significant move for South Africa’s energy landscape, the French firm Voltalia has fully commissioned the 148-megawatt (MW) Bolobedu solar power plant. Located in the Limpopo province, the facility is now operational and supplying clean energy to Richards Bay Minerals (RBM), a subsidiary of the global mining giant Rio Tinto. Under a long-term corporate power purchase agreement (PPA), the plant is expected to generate approximately 300 gigawatt-hours of electricity per year, significantly reducing the mine's reliance on carbon-intensive energy sources.

The Wheeling Model: Bypassing Grid Instability

A critical feature of the Bolobedu project is its use of "wheeling," a system where electricity is transmitted from the solar farm to the mine using the existing Eskom national grid. This allows RBM to receive renewable energy without a direct physical connection to the plant. This model is becoming the gold standard for South African industry as companies seek to shield themselves from chronic load-shedding and the unreliability of the state-owned utility while still utilizing national infrastructure for delivery.

Significant Impact on Carbon Emissions

The mining sector remains one of the highest-emitting industries in Africa due to its heavy reliance on coal-fired power. Voltalia estimates that the Bolobedu plant will eliminate more than 237,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. Voltalia CEO Robert Klein noted that the project underscores the firm's commitment to accelerating the "decarbonization of industries" and supporting an inclusive energy transition in a country that is still the continent's most industrialized yet coal-dependent economy.