- Hive Hydrogen secured permits for a 1,430 MW solar PV cluster to power 40% of its R105-billion Coega Green Ammonia project.
- The project uses solar, wind, desalinated seawater, and air-extracted nitrogen, and will begin commercial operations by Q4 2029.
The Coega Green Ammonia Project in Nelson Mandela Bay has reached a key milestone with the approval of a 1,430 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) cluster. This cluster will supply 40% of the renewable power required for the green hydrogen-linked initiative.
Hive Hydrogen South Africa, the project’s developer, confirmed that this solar development phase keeps the R105-billion megaproject firmly on track for commercial operation by Q4 2029.
The project will use solar and wind energy, desalinated Indian Ocean water, and nitrogen extracted from the air to produce green hydrogen-derived ammonia for export to Europe and the Far East. The production facility will be located in the Coega Special Economic Zone, and exports are planned via the Port of Ngqura in Gqeberha.
Thulani Gcabashe, Chairperson of Hive Hydrogen South Africa and former CEO of Eskom, leads the project’s development. He emphasised the South African government’s strong backing: “The Strategic Integrated Projects team has diligently supported our permitting process, and we’re deeply grateful for their commitment.”
Gcabashe also highlighted the national benefits of the project’s planned grid-strengthening programme. This programme will unlock up to 20,000 MW of grid capacity, enabling independent power producers (IPPs) to connect large-scale renewable energy projects across South Africa.
As part of a broader renewable rollout, the approved solar cluster includes nine sites near Philipstown, Petrusville, and Vanderkloof in the Northern Cape. These are being co-developed by Crossroads Green Energy, Akuo Energy (France), AfriCoast Investments South Africa, and Golden Sunshine Trading South Africa. Crossroads’ R15-billion investment benefits from the region’s world-class solar irradiation levels, making it ideal for utility-scale clean energy projects.
In addition to solar, the Coega project will draw power from two wind clusters totalling 1,880 MW. Once operational, the project will produce over one million tonnes of green ammonia annually, according to Hive Hydrogen and Hive Africa, making it the largest solar PV project in both South Africa and the southern hemisphere.
Giles Redpath, CEO of the UK’s Hive Energy—which owns 75% of Hive Hydrogen South Africa—described the approval as a significant win: “This is the largest solar project in our 22-country portfolio. The milestone highlights South Africa’s leadership in renewable energy and its commitment to clean fuel innovation.” Redpath also noted that the milestone came during the Africa Green Hydrogen Summit in Cape Town, further underscoring its significance.
Mayor Andrew Samson of the Renosterberg Municipality welcomed the project’s inclusive planning approach, especially the community engagement led by Hive and Crossroads. “We’re eager to move forward with construction and witness the benefits it will bring to our communities and the nation,” he said.
Furthermore, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for 1,230 MW of solar received approval in May 2024 without any objections, and an additional 200 MW has now been permitted, bringing the total to 1,430 MW. Developers also secured all necessary permits, authorisations, and consents.
AfriCoast directors Donald McGillivray and Venance da Silva praised the project’s land-use strategy: “We applied best-practice development, using no more than 10% of agricultural land. This ensures minimal environmental disruption and allows agriculture and energy to coexist. We’ll fully restore the land once the plant is decommissioned.”
Kennett Sinclair, Land and Liaison Manager for Golden Sunshine Trading, added that the project will generate substantial income for local farmers, create jobs, and foster long-term sustainability. “We’re improving rural livelihoods while building a cleaner future,” he said.
Xavier Ducret, Director of Akuo Energy, credited the success to close collaboration between developers, specialists, and government agencies.
Hive Energy has developed some of the world’s most prominent solar PV projects—including the UK’s 379 MW Cleve Hill Solar Park—and also leads Spain’s first green hydrogen hub. Globally, Hive’s projects have attracted over $3 billion in green energy investment and helped avoid nearly two million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.
The Coega facility will include a 1,120 MW green hydrogen electrolyser, a Haber-Bosch ammonia loop producing 1 million tonnes per year, up to four 35,000-tonne ammonia storage tanks and a 7 km cryogenic ammonia pipeline connecting the plant to the Port of Ngqura.
The project places South Africa on the global map of green hydrogen leadership and stands as a benchmark for integrating renewable energy with industrial-scale clean fuel production.