Both projects are located in the Free State Province and form part of Bid Window 2 of South Africa’s Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (BESIPPPP) and Round 7 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPPP). This milestone secures all key commercial agreements and paves the way for the projects to advance toward Financial Close and construction in the coming weeks.

Commercial close is a critical step in project development, confirming that major contracts are in place and that the projects are legally and commercially ready to proceed. While it differs from financial close, which unlocks project funding and enables construction to begin, commercial close provides the certainty needed to advance with confidence.

As part of today’s milestone, Mulilo signed the Implementation Agreement in the presence of the Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa and the Independent Power Producers Office (IPPO), and finalised the Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) for both projects:

• Mulilo Mercury BESS – A 76 MW / 304 MWh battery energy storage facility near Viljoenskroon, under Bid Window 2 of BESIPPPP. The project will enhance grid stability, support renewable energy integration, and drive local economic development within the Moqhaka Local Municipality.
• Middlepunt Solar PV – A 337 MWDC (240 MWAC) solar photovoltaic facility near Welkom, awarded under REIPPPP Bid Window 7. The project will deliver meaningful local economic benefits to the Matjhabeng Local Municipality while supporting South Africa’s transition to a low-carbon energy system. Once operational, it is expected to generate approximately 770 GWh of clean electricity annually—enough to power around 325,000 households. The electricity delivered to the South African grid is priced at 458 ZAR / MWh, equivalent to 27 USD/MWh. This is an important step for South Africa, helping to make the energy transition from fossil fuels to renewables very affordable. This is among the cheapest, most affordable green energy delivered anywhere in the world.

“Reaching commercial close on two major projects in a single day is an exceptional achievement,” said Jan Fourie, CEO of Mulilo. “With Middlepunt Solar PV as the first Bid Window 7 project to reach commercial close, alongside our flagship Mercury BESS project, this milestone is a testament to our team’s ability to deliver projects at speed and scale. It reflects the strength of our partnerships and the collaborative effort of a multi-stakeholder group working to advance South Africa’s energy transition.”

Both projects are being realised through close cooperation between the public and private sectors, including the IPPO, NTCSA, Eskom, and local, provincial, and national government. Mulilo’s shareholders, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) and Norfund, together with local BEE partners Reatile, Perpetua and community trusts, continue to support the projects, reflecting Mulilo’s commitment to inclusive participation and long-term shared value.

About Mulilo 

Mulilo is a leading South African renewable energy developer and independent power producer, specialising in wind, solar, and battery storage projects. With a development pipeline exceeding 30 GW, Mulilo is dedicated to driving South Africa’s transition to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future. For more information, please visit www.mulilo.com.

For more information or media inquiries, please contact:

John Messiahs

Director: Corporate Affairs

Email: media@mulilo.com