In a significant step forward for one of South Africa’s largest inward investments, the development phase for a massive solar energy cluster has been successfully completed. This milestone secures a critical power source for the R105 billion Coega Green Ammonia Project, a venture poised to position the region as a global leader in sustainable energy.
The Crossroads Green Energy Cluster, developed in the Northern Cape, is the result of a strategic consortium including French renewable energy developer Akuo Energy, Kimberley-based Golden Sunshine Trading, and Africoast Investments. This solar cluster is set to be the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere at approximately 1,430 MW, providing nearly half of the electricity required for the green ammonia plant located in the Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The remaining power will be supplied by wind energy, creating a 100% renewable energy profile for the facility.
Once operational, the Coega factory is expected to produce over one million tonnes of green ammonia annually, offering a carbon-free fuel alternative for international markets in Europe and the Far East.
Africoast Investments has emphasized that the Crossroads project represents a benchmark for best practice in renewable energy development. A key feature of the site’s design is its minimal footprint; by utilizing a maximum of 10% of the agricultural land, the project allows for the continued coexistence of farming and renewable energy production.
Beyond powering the Coega plant, the project provides a critical boost to South Africa’s national infrastructure. The associated grid-strengthening programme is expected to unlock significant capacity, potentially allowing for an additional 10,000 MW to 20,000 MW of renewable energy from other independent power producers to connect to the national grid.
Construction of the Crossroads cluster is scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of 2026, keeping the broader Green Ammonia Project firmly on track for commercial operation by late 2029.
