Zeerust Solar

What Zeerust Solar does

Zeerust Solar (RF) Pty Ltd is a South African utility-scale renewable energy independent power producer operating a 75MW solar photovoltaic power plant in the Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality near Zeerust town, North West Province. The facility comprises 250,080 monocrystalline silicon solar modules (345Wp at STC) on single-axis tracking systems, spans 179 hectares of agricultural land across two farms, and connects to Eskom's Kameeldoorn switching station via high-voltage transmission. It commenced commercial operations on 1 January 2021 and generates approximately 180 GWh of clean electricity per year — enough to power roughly 75,000 medium-sized South African homes while avoiding approximately 125,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. It is the largest solar PV project in North West Province and one of only four projects approved under REIPPPP Round 4 in that province.

The project was awarded under Round 4 of the South African Government's Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme, and its entire output is sold to Eskom under a long-term power purchase agreement that defines a 20-year operational period. It is 100% South African-owned through a consortium comprising African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM, via the IDEAS Fund under Old Mutual Alternative Investments), Reatile Solar Power, Phakwe Solar, AREP (African Rainbow Energy and Power), and the Cicada Community Trust. Construction was executed by EPC contractor Istoguard (January 2019 to January 2021), and ongoing operations and maintenance are managed by Istofon. GTM is exclusively sales-led via the government procurement framework, with community engagement and integrated SED programmes functioning as critical social-license levers.

Beyond electricity generation, Zeerust Solar operates a Socio-Economic Development Programme covering education (35+ ECD centres, scholarships, matric excellence awards, teacher recognition), healthcare (a mobile clinic delivering 5,000+ services annually in partnership with the District Department of Health), and enterprise development (Agri4Change accelerator, SMME support, seed funding) across approximately 40 villages and 6 peri-towns in the Ramotshere Moiloa area. Dedicated community liaison officers (CPO, Community Operations Intern, Social Performance Manager) manage stakeholder relationships and on-ground programme delivery, with bilingual (English and Setswana) newsletters and a Facebook channel supporting community communications.

Name

Zeerust Solar

Legal name

Zeerust Solar (RF) Pty Ltd

Website

https://zeerustsolar.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Zeerust Solar operates a 75MW solar PV plant in South Africa's North West Province under REIPPPP Round 4, selling all generated electricity to Eskom via a 20-year PPA while delivering integrated education, healthcare, and enterprise-development programmes to 40+ local communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Utility-Scale Solar Power Generation

NAICS

Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)

SIC

Electric Services (4911)

akta.pro primary industry

Solar Project Development & IPP (Utility-Scale & Rooftop) (EUAMABAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Operations, Maintenance & Asset Management (O&M, Vegetation, Spares, SCADA) (EUACAGAH)

Keywords

• Utility-scale solar power
• Renewable energy generation
• Photovoltaic power production
• Independent power producer
• Clean electricity supply

Headquarters

HQ city

Cape Town

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Power Purchase Agreement Revenue: Long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with Eskom (South Africa's national electricity utility) for sale of generated renewable electricity. Revenue is contractually guaranteed over the project lifespan of 20+ years under the REIPPPP framework. The solar plant generates approximately 180 GWh annually, supplying clean energy to the national grid.
2. Carbon Credit Revenue (Implied): The project avoids approximately 125,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually compared to fossil fuel power generation. This carbon offset generation may generate additional revenue through carbon credit mechanisms.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Zeerust Solar operates a 75MW solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant comprising 250,080 monocrystalline silicon modules across 179 hectares near Zeerust in South Africa's North West Province. The facility generates approximately 180 GWh of clean electricity annually and supplies it to Eskom, the national electricity utility, through a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) under the government's REIPPPP Round 4. The project is integrated with a 20-year socio-economic development programme serving local communities in the Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality.

Product overview

Zeerust Solar operates as a 75MW solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant, the largest in the North West Province of South Africa. The core product is clean electricity generation supplying approximately 75,000 homes. Alongside the power plant operations, the company runs an integrated Socio-Economic Development Programme that includes Education Support (scholarships, ECD centres, matric excellence awards), a Mobile Health Clinic Programme, and an Enterprise Development Programme (Agri4Change, SMME support). The company also offers internship opportunities in technical services. All community programmes are designed to be sustainable over the plant's twenty-year operational lifespan.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Zeerust Solar Power Plant A 75MW solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant situated in the Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality near Zeerust in the North West Province, South Africa. The facility comprises 250,080 solar modules spanning 179 hectares and connects to the Kameeldoorn switching station, generating approximately 180 GWh of clean electricity annually for sale to Eskom under the REIPPPP framework.

Quantifiable outcome

• 180 GWh clean energy generated annually
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• EskomcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Eskom is the primary off-taker for Zeerust Solar's electricity generation. The solar plant is connected to Eskom's Kameeldoorn switching station, which feeds the generated power into South Africa's national grid. This is a long-term power purchase agreement under the REIPPPP framework.
• Cicada Community TrustflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCicada Community Trust holds an equity stake in Zeerust Solar, ensuring direct community ownership and benefit-sharing with local communities in the Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality. This is a flagship partnership ensuring local community stakeholders have direct ownership in the project.
• Istoguard PTY LTDcoreTechnology or IntegrationEngineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor for the 75MW solar field. Completed construction in January 2021, two years after commencement in January 2019.
• Istofon PTY LTDcoreTechnology or IntegrationOperations and Maintenance (O&M) contractor responsible for ongoing technical operations of the solar facility.
• District Department of HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with District Department of Health to operate mobile clinic providing healthcare services to schools and communities. Services include primary healthcare, oral healthcare, optometry, health education, and referrals.
• Ramotshere Moiloa Sub-District Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Department of Education for educational support programs including ECD centres, scholarships, matric excellence awards, teacher recognition, and school infrastructure support.
• Ramotshere Moiloa Local MunicipalitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partnership for community development initiatives including sports tournaments (Mayor's Cup), road safety campaigns, and coordinated socio-economic development programs.
• Angels Resource CentrecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFacilitates enterprise development programs including SMME workshops, Agri4Change accelerator programme, and business skills training for local entrepreneurs.
• Khenn InstitutecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerImplements career development and leadership programs for local Grade 9-12 learners, providing workshops on career options, university preparation, study techniques, and bursary applications.
• Ikageng Community TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity trust partnership for implementing welfare programs including winter blanket drives for elderly residents and community development initiatives.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Globeleq: British emerging-markets power developer with renewable and conventional generation across Africa; has been active in REIPPPP bid rounds. Comparable as an emerging-markets utility-scale IPP though broader geographic footprint.

Direct peers

• Solar Capital: South African solar developer that has brought multiple large-scale PV plants to financial close under REIPPPP, deploying similar monocrystalline PV technology and partnering with Eskom under long-term PPAs.
• Red Rocket Energy Africa: Emerging South African renewable energy platform with utility-scale solar PV and wind assets across SA, developed under REIPPPP. Highly comparable operating profile and offtake structure.
• BioTherm Energy: South African renewable energy IPP with a portfolio of utility-scale solar PV and wind projects under REIPPPP. Closely comparable on technology, off-taker, and regulatory framework.
• Scatec ASA: Norwegian-listed renewable IPP with multiple utility-scale solar PV plants in South Africa awarded under REIPPPP (e.g., Kalkbult, Dreunberg, Upington). Directly comparable business model — long-term Eskom PPA, REIPPPP framework, same technology class.
• Cennergi: South African wind and solar PV IPP (Sasol/Twence-backed) with multiple REIPPPP projects supplying electricity to Eskom under 20-year PPAs. Direct peer across technology class and offtake structure.
• Mulilo Renewable Energy (TotalEnergies): Acquired by TotalEnergies, Mulilo is one of South Africa's largest utility-scale solar PV developers with multiple operational REIPPPP projects. Directly comparable as a South African solar PV IPP with Eskom PPA exposure.

Emerging players

• ACWA Power: Middle East-headquartered developer, owner and operator of power and desal projects globally including CSP and PV assets in South Africa under REIPPPP. Comparable on technology stack and Eskom PPA structure.

Broad incumbents

• ENGIE Sub-Saharan Africa: Global utility with a significant REIPPPP solar and wind portfolio in South Africa (e.g., Kathu CSP), operating under the same Eskom PPA framework with overlapping community-ownership and SED requirements.
• EDF Renewables South Africa: Subsidiary of EDF with utility-scale renewable energy projects in South Africa under REIPPPP, including solar PV. Comparable as a global incumbent operating SA-licensed solar assets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zeerust Solar