South Africa’s largest single-site solar power plant has reached a major milestone. The PV2 section of the Mooi Solar project (240 MW) has been successfully connected to the grid, marking a crucial step toward the full commissioning of the facility led by China Energy Engineering Group International and China Gezhouba Group Company Limited.

A landmark project totaling 240 MW

Launched in March 2024, the Mooi Solar project, located in South Africa, is being developed across three sections – PV1, PV2, and PV3 – and represents the country’s largest single-site photovoltaic installation to date. On October 28th, the PV2 section completed installation, commissioning, and grid connection, paving the way for the start of commercial power generation in the coming months.

Technical and regulatory challenges

The Chinese consortium in charge of construction has faced numerous obstacles since the start of the project. The teams have had to navigate complex local approval procedures, differing technical standards, difficult geological conditions, and frequent extreme weather events — all under a tight schedule.

To overcome these challenges, the project department quickly mobilized key personnel to study local regulations in depth and strengthened coordination with stakeholders — including authorities, the client, and local communities. This proactive approach allowed the team to dynamically adjust the construction plan, breaking down tasks into daily objectives with clearly defined responsibilities, thereby ensuring that all milestone targets were met on time.

Heading toward full commissioning

The successful energization of the PV2 section marks a major step toward the full operational launch of the 240 MW Mooi Solar site, which will significantly contribute to South Africa’s energy transition. The project reflects the country’s growing commitment to renewable energy while underscoring the expanding role of Chinese companies in developing large-scale energy infrastructure across the African continent.