As South Africa’s renewable energy wheeling market accelerates, a major milestone has been reached in the Eastern Cape. Phase 1A of the landmark Parsons Power Park has officially broken ground in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB).
As the project’s exclusive off-taker, POWERX has solidified a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to purchase the renewable energy generated by the facility and distribute it directly to commercial and industrial businesses across the region.
Spanning 58 hectares – the equivalent of 80 football pitches – the 31 MWp solar PV installation represents a significant step forward for sustainable industrial development. The project is being developed by a consortium consisting of independent power producers Yellow Door Energy, Raw Renewables, and Natura Energy, with Alensy Energy Solutions serving as the EPC partner.
A Game-Changer for Local Industry via Wheeling
Once fully operational in Q1 2027, Parsons Power Park will feature more than 47,000 solar panels mounted on single-axis trackers to maximize daily sun exposure. The facility is expected to generate approximately 60 GWh of green electricity annually, offsetting roughly 54,360 tonnes of carbon emissions.
Using NMB’s local municipal grid, the green power will be “wheeled” to large energy consumers, including businesses within the Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and across the broader Nelson Mandela Bay network. This model allows companies to access renewable energy beyond their physical premises without upfront capital investment.
Bridging the Gap Between Green Power and Business
As the first private sector electricity trader in South Africa to be licensed by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA), POWERX brings over a decade of regulatory and operational expertise to the project. Through this partnership, POWERX will leverage its advanced trading platform to offer businesses flexible, cost-competitive, and reliable green electricity.
This milestone highlights POWERX’s core capability: bridging the gap between utility-scale renewable generation and the end-user. By managing the off-take and navigating the municipal wheeling framework, POWERX ensures local industries receive a seamless, lower-cost energy alternative that secures their operational supply while meeting critical global decarbonisation targets.
Economic and Environmental Impact
Beyond the environmental benefits, the project is structured to stimulate the local economy. During the construction phase, the project partners will prioritize local contractors and job creation through a dedicated community program.
With Phase 1A officially underway, the broader vision for the Parsons Power Park remains highly ambitious, with plans to scale total capacity up to 150 MW in subsequent phases.
For POWERX, this project underscores a commitment to advancing South Africa’s renewable energy transition by proving that municipal wheeling is no longer just a concept – it is a bankable, scalable reality powering the future of South African business.
