Yellow Door Energy and Nedbank CIB achieve financial close on 49 MWp Lion Thorn Solar Park project
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 gigawatt-hours of renewable electricity in its first year and avoid an estimated 104,190 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
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 R158bn in investment and 7,464MW of generation capacity.
Hlatse Nkune, principal of Power and Renewables Finance at Nedbank CIB, said: "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."
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.
John Taylor, managing director for Yellow Door Energy South Africa, said: "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."
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.