Eskom’s Lethabo Power Station will soon boast a 75MW solar power plant, geared towards integrating the power utility’s renewable generation to its existing coal-fired power station infrastructure.

The project forms part of Eskom’s broader pipeline of renewable energy and storage initiatives currently under development. It is one of 17 high–priority projects that will be implemented across Eskom’s existing coal–fired power station footprint, with construction expected to commence between now and 2028.

Collectively, these projects are expected to deliver approximately 6GW of new capacity by 2030.
According to Eskom, the developments will be strategically located at power stations, including Arnot, Duvha, Majuba, Tutuka, Lethabo, Komati, Kendal, Kusile, Hendrina, Camden, and Grootvlei. The Lethabo project also forms part of Eskom’s construction–ready pipeline of at least 2GW of renewable energy and pumped storage projects progressing during 2026.

The plant generation of an estimated 147GWh of electricity annually is expected to supply power to around 60,000 households. The start of the construction was marked by an SOD turning event led by the Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, alongside various governmental officials.

Speaking during the event, Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane, said the 365 days without loadshedding is a result of the focused delivery over the past three years of the generation recovery plan by skilled employees.

“Now that we have delivered a stable electricity platform for the South African economy to grow from, we can seamlessly enable the integration of renewable energy sources as required by the 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to maintain future energy security.”

Group Executive for Generation, Bheki Nxumalo, said the utility is playing its part in bringing online the new generation capacity required by focusing on the deep technical and institutional capability of its employees.

“Bringing this solar plant into the Lethabo Power Station site affirms our deliberate strategy to optimise existing assets while accelerating new lower-carbon generation capacity.”

Group Executive for Renewables, Rivoningo Mnisi said the Lethabo solar power plant represents a significant milestone in Eskom Green’s renewable energy pipeline and forms part of the utility’s broader strategy to diversify the generation mix, support South Africa’s Just Energy Transition objectives and provide customers with lower carbon electricity.

The project is expected to create vital local economic opportunities and contribute significantly to skills development during both the construction and operational phases.