Published byJessica Casey,
Editor
Energy Global,
Wednesday, 02 Sep 26
Yellow Door Energy and Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking (Nedbank CIB) have achieved financial close on 49 MWp Lion Thorn solar park in Leeudoringstad, North West. Nedbank CIB is financing the utility scale solar project, enabling construction to proceed.
The utility scale solar project has secured long-term power purchase agreements with PPC and POWERX, a NERSA-licensed private electricity trader. Once operational, it is expected to generate approximately 115 GWh of renewable electricity in its first year and avoid an estimated 104 190 tpy of carbon emissions.
The transaction comes as private investment in South Africa‘s electricity sector continues to grow and supports the development of new renewable generation capacity while contributing to South Africa‘s energy transition, long-term energy security, and economic growth.
In 2025, NERSA-registered private generation projects represented an estimated R158 billion in investment and 7464 MW of generation capacity.
Construction is scheduled to begin in September 2026, with commissioning anticipated in 2028. The project is also expected to create employment and economic opportunities during construction and operations.
Once commissioned, Lion Thorn solar park will add new renewable generation capacity to South Africa’s electricity system, which will help diversify the country’s energy supply and support growing demand for reliable electricity.
“South Africa’s electricity market is evolving, creating new opportunities for renewable energy developers, traders and corporate customers. Lion Thorn Solar Park demonstrates how innovative financing and long-term offtake arrangements can unlock new generation capacity, strengthen energy security and support the country’s transition to a more sustainable energy future. Transactions such as these are critical to accelerating private sector participation in the energy market and expanding access to reliable electricity. At Nedbank CIB, we are proud to partner with Yellow Door Energy, which helps accelerate sustainable energy growth through innovative financing,” said Hlatse Nkune, Principal of Power and Renewables Finance at Nedbank CIB.
“Reaching financial close on Lion Thorn solar park is an important milestone for Yellow Door Energy and demonstrates our ability to develop bankable, large scale renewable energy projects in South Africa. The project will provide reliable, cost-effective clean electricity to our customers while supporting energy security, economic growth and the country’s transition to a lower-carbon future,” added John Taylor, Managing Director for Yellow Door Energy South Africa.
For more news and technical articles from the global renewable industry, read the latest issue of Energy Global magazine.
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