• 7.08 MWp solar plant powers steel melting operations in Gqeberha.
  • Hybrid rooftop and ground mount system supports greener manufacturing.
  • Project underpins 450 jobs and advances low carbon industrialisation.

Coega Steels, based in Gqeberha, has commissioned a 7.08 MWp solar photovoltaic installation, now recognised as the largest single commercial solar project in the Eastern Cape. The installation marks a significant milestone in the decarbonisation of South Africa’s energy intensive manufacturing sector.

Developed in partnership with Emergent Energy, the project integrates both rooftop and ground mounted systems with a combined 11,484 solar panels. The plant supplies renewable energy to the province’s first steel melting facility, enabling a shift towards lower carbon production processes.

The solar installation has a total capacity of 7.08 MWp. Phase 1 delivered 785 kWp, followed by Phase 2 which includes 3,906 kWp of rooftop solar and 3,174 kWp from a ground mount array. This hybrid configuration optimises available space while improving generation efficiency and energy resilience.

The project is expected to play a key role in enabling green steel production by reducing reliance on coal fired electricity. In doing so, it contributes to emissions reduction while supporting industrial competitiveness in a carbon constrained global market.

Beyond its environmental impact, the installation supports 450 jobs linked to Coega Steels’ operations, reinforcing the role of renewable energy in sustaining and growing industrial employment in South Africa.

Author: Bryan Groenendaal