Mulilo Reaches Financial Close on Landmark 380 MW Beaufort West Solar PV Project in Western Cape

Mulilo achieves financial close on the 380 MW Beaufort West solar project, a major utility-scale development set to provide 818 GWh of clean power annually.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 20, 2026, 10:31 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Engineering News

A Milestone for Utility-Scale Solar

South African Independent Power Producer (IPP) Mulilo has successfully achieved financial close for the Beaufort West solar PV facility. With an installed capacity of 380 MW and a contracted export capacity of 250 MWac, the project represents one of the largest utility-scale solar developments in South Africa. Located near Beaufort West in the Western Cape, the facility is designed to connect directly to the Droërivier main transmission substation, ensuring efficient integration of renewable energy into the national grid.

Exceeding Annual Deployment Targets

This closure marks Mulilo’s fourth successful project finalization in 2026, following recent milestones at the Orkney solar PV project in the North West and the Middlepunt and Mercury battery energy storage systems in the Free State. With the Beaufort West project now entering the construction phase, Mulilo has surpassed its strategic goal of deploying 1 GW of renewable energy annually. The company’s total portfolio—comprising both operational assets and projects under construction—now exceeds 2 GW, solidifying its position as a major player in the South African energy transition.

Driving Industrial Decarbonization

Once operational, the Beaufort West facility is projected to generate approximately 818 GWh of clean electricity per year. This power will be sold to commercial and industrial customers across the country through a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with NOA, a prominent renewables firm. The environmental impact is significant, with the project estimated to offset roughly 860,000 tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions annually. This partnership reflects a growing trend of private-sector collaboration aimed at providing energy certainty to industrial users while reducing the national carbon footprint.