Infinity Power has selected Chinese solar technology manufacturer AIKO to supply modules for three utility-scale solar projects in South Africa with a combined capacity of 773.5 MWp, advancing preparations for developments awarded under the country’s latest renewable energy procurement round.
The agreement covers the Highveld, Onderstepoort Solar 1 and Onderstepoort Solar 2 projects. AIKO will supply approximately 1.2 million All Back Contact (ABC) photovoltaic modules, which the companies expect will support annual electricity generation exceeding 1,871 GWh once the three plants are operational. The selection represents a step towards delivery, but does not mean the full portfolio is already under construction or generating power.
The projects were awarded under Bid Window 7 of South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). They are planned to operate under 20-year power purchase agreements with Eskom, providing a long-term buyer for the electricity generated. Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy will handle engineering, procurement and construction for Highveld, while PowerChina Guizhou Engineering will undertake the two Onderstepoort projects. The module supply arrangement aligns equipment procurement with these separate construction packages.
The choice of modules also reflects the pressure on developers to manage costs in competitive renewable energy auctions. AIKO’s selected ABC modules have conversion efficiencies of up to 24.1%, according to the manufacturer. Their higher power output can reduce the number of panels required for a given installation capacity, potentially lowering expenditure on mounting structures, cabling and other balance-of-system components. AIKO also says the modules are designed to maintain performance in high temperatures, an important consideration for solar projects operating under South Africa’s conditions. These are manufacturer-reported specifications; actual project performance will depend on site conditions, installation and operation.
The three projects are expected to contribute to electricity supply in different parts of the country. Highveld, located in Mpumalanga, is projected to supply electricity equivalent to the consumption of approximately 167,000 homes. The two Onderstepoort projects in the North West province are expected to serve around 289,000 homes combined. Across the portfolio, the developments are projected to avoid approximately 1.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually once operational. These household equivalents and emissions figures are estimates, not measured outcomes from operating plants.
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For Infinity Power, the agreement expands its relationship with AIKO beyond Egypt and into South Africa. The companies previously collaborated on the 258.5 MWp Nefer Benban project and the 1.2 GWp Nefer Minya project in Egypt, taking the combined capacity covered by their African collaboration beyond 2 GWp. Infinity Power also secured 1.28 GW of solar allocations in Bid Window 7, the largest allocation among successful bidders in that round, giving it a substantial pipeline to develop.
The next milestone is delivery. Equipment supply must be coordinated with construction, grid connection and the remaining steps required to bring the projects into commercial operation. The module selection helps establish the technology and supply arrangements for the 773.5 MWp portfolio, but the timing of electricity delivery will depend on execution across all three sites. For South Africa, the projects add to the pipeline of privately developed generation intended to diversify electricity supply; their contribution will be realised only when the plants are completed and connected to the grid.
