Name of the Project
Lephalale solar PV (LSP) project.

Location
Near Exxaro's Grootegeluk coal mine in Lephalale, Limpopo, South Africa

Project Owner/s
Exxaro Resources renewable-energy subsidiary Cennergi.

Project Description
One of the largest behind-the-meter renewable-energy projects in South Africa supplies renewable energy directly to the Grootegeluk mine through the mine’s main substation. 

The project comprises 129 024 solar panels installed across 185 ha, delivering 68 MWac at the point of connection.

The facility is designed to generate about 176 GWh/y of clean energy under a 25-year power purchase agreement with Grootegeluk. The facility is expected to deliver electricity cost savings at the Grootegeluk mine of about R100-million a year and reduce the company’s Scope 2 emissions by about 17% while delivering strategic operational benefits through greater energy resilience, decentralised power generation, reduced exposure to carbon taxes and long-term electricity cost certainty.

The project site is also licensed for future battery energy storage system integration to store surplus energy and optimise usage.

Potential Job Creation
During construction, the project created 808 employment opportunities, with 557 host community members employed, representing 69% local recruitment, including three people living with disabilities from local communities.
The project also prioritised local economic participation, achieving 41.9% of the local-content spend and supporting 13 local subcontractors, helping to strengthen the regional supplier ecosystem.

Capital Expenditure
R1.7-billion.   

Planned Start/End Date
The project reached financial close in June 2023, with the notice to proceed issued in August 2023, marking the start of construction. 

Following the successful completion of hot and cold commissioning in November 2025, the first renewable electricity was exported to Grootegeluk mine on December 11, 2025.

Latest Developments
The project celebrated the commercial operations date milestone on July 15, 2026.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Cennergi, email info@cennergi.com.