Johannesburg-based data center provider Teraco announced plans on Wednesday to commence the construction of a 120-megawatt (MW) solar park in South Africa's Free State province, following the acquisition of its inaugural grid capacity allocation from public utility Eskom.
The solar park, a key component of Teraco's renewable energy strategy, will enable the company to harness sustainable power sources to fuel its data facilities across South Africa. The allocation from Eskom signifies a crucial milestone in Teraco's commitment to renewable energy and aligns with the broader ambitions of its clients, according to Jan Hnizdo, CEO of Teraco, which is majority-owned by Digital Realty.
“The grid capacity allocation represents a significant leap forward in realizing our renewable energy goals and those of our clients,” stated Hnizdo.
Anticipated to generate over 338,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) annually, the 120-MW solar array will significantly bolster Teraco's renewable energy capacity. This initiative supplements the existing 6 MW of rooftop solar installations at Teraco facilities, with plans underway to expand this capacity to 10 MW.
In collaboration with JUWI Renewable Energies South Africa and Subsolar, Teraco is spearheading the development of the 120-MW photovoltaic (PV) project. JUWI will oversee the procurement, construction, and commissioning phases of the project, leveraging its expertise in renewable energy deployment.
See also: Germany and South Africa Forge Partnership for Green Hydrogen Projects
The partnership underscores Teraco's commitment to sustainability and its proactive approach to integrating renewable energy solutions into its operations. By harnessing solar power, Teraco aims to reduce its carbon footprint while ensuring reliable and sustainable energy sources for its data centers, thereby contributing to South Africa's broader renewable energy agenda.
