South African Redstone concentrated solar power (CSP) project has achieved its first debt drawdown on the largest renewable energy investment in South Africa to date.

The African Development Bank acted as the Mandated Lead Arranger (MLA) and Coordinating Bank for the ZAR 11.6 bn total investment, with a commitment of ZAR 2.306 billion to the transaction. The project has also secured financing from leading international and South African financial institutions including ABSA Bank, CDC Group, Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft (DEG), Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden (FMO) Investec Bank, Nedbank Limited, Sanlam Limited, and the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa.

Redstone is led by ACWA Power, a leading Saudi developer, investor and operator of power generation, water desalination and hydrogen plants in 12 countries, which is also the lead shareholder in Redstone with co-shareholders including the Central Energy Fund, Pele Green Energy and the local community.

Located in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa, the Redstone project will be equipped with a 12-hour thermal storage system that will deliver clean and reliable electricity to nearly 200,000 households round the clock. The construction for the project is well underway and is currently in its ninth month of construction. The engineering works for the project is over 58% completed, whereas procurement and construction works stand at over 45% and 6% respectively. A key construction milestone, tower foundation for the project has been completed with the commencement of operations scheduled for Q4 2023. Through the successful mobilization of international project finance, Redstone has facilitated approximately ZAR 7 billion in foreign direct investment to fund and support the strategic energy transition goals of the country. 

Redstone CSP will offset an estimated 440 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year while also providing value-adding ancillary services to Eskom, and it is the first renewable energy project to offer ancillary services in the country. The project is certified under the Climate Bonds Standard and Certification Scheme and aligned with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement which seeks to limit global warming to under 2 degrees Celsius. In addition to efficiently delivering clean energy to the national grid, the Redstone project will offer tangible socioeconomic value through utilizing local supply chains and creating job opportunities: the project will reach close to 44% local content on procurement during the construction period; create more than 2,000 construction jobs at peak, with about 400 from the local community; and create approximately 100 permanent direct jobs during the operating period.

The strategic importance of this project was recognized by the South African National Energy Association (SANEA) who awarded ACWA Power with the “Leading the way in the energy sector” Prize in October 2021. 

AfDB’s Vice President in charge of Power, Energy, Climate Change and Green Growth Dr. Kevin Kariuki said: “Redstone will play an important role in South Africa’s decarbonization efforts. We are therefore pleased to have played such a prominent role in the project’s structuring and financing.  Furthermore, the Bank looks forward to playing an even bigger part in supporting South Africa’s just energy transition by harnessing the abundant renewable sources of energy through innovative partnerships with the private sector.”

African Development Bank Director of Energy Financial Solution and Policy Regulations Wale Shonibare said: “This project marks a landmark project finance investment in South Africa and demonstrates the commercial viability of CSP technology in enhancing clean energy generation. Redstone’s capability to convert solar power into baseload energy at scale, aligns with AfDB’s Climate Change & Green Growth Policy and Strategy of investing for clean and inclusive growth.”

The Bank’s Director General of the Southern African Region Leila Mokaddem said: “The African Development Bank is privileged and proud to play the MLA and Coordinating Bank’s role for this largest renewable project in South Africa alongside our partners ABSA, CDC, DBSA, DEG, FMO, Investec, Nedbank, and Sanlam, reflecting our shared objectives of supporting the energy transition to address the threat of climate change across Africa.”