Renewable energy company Mulilo has committed nearly R15 billion to build three large-scale solar plants and a battery storage system, in a pledge made at the 2026 South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) that is expected to deliver a significant jobs boost. According to SAnews, the investment will add 716 megawatts of new generation capacity to the national grid.
The commitment, announced on 1 April 2026, amounts to about R14.8 billion, according to Business Day. It will fund three large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) projects and a battery energy storage system (BESS).
What the investment will build
The combined projects are set to add 716 megawatts of new capacity to South Africa’s national grid, according to SAnews. The package brings together solar generation and battery storage, a pairing intended to help stabilise supply as the country works to expand its renewable energy base.
The investment is expected to support employment across several phases of the projects, including:
- Construction
- Operations
- Maintenance
- Security
- Plant management
Long-term partnerships and jobs
Mulilo’s Chief Commercial Officer, Seithati Bolipombo, framed the commitment as part of a broader strategy focused on lasting economic impact. The company is “investing in long-term partnerships that unlock infrastructure, create jobs,” Bolipombo said, according to SAnews.
The emphasis on jobs across the construction, operations and maintenance phases aligns with the conference’s wider goal of attracting investment that supports growth and employment in South Africa.
Scaling up renewable capacity
The SAIC pledge forms part of Mulilo’s larger ambitions for renewable energy in the country. The company aims to bring up to 1GW of renewable energy into rollout annually, according to SAnews.
Mulilo is also targeting 5GW into construction and operation by 2028, signalling a sustained pipeline of projects beyond the three solar plants and battery system announced at the conference.
The 2026 South Africa Investment Conference serves as a platform for companies to announce commitments aimed at strengthening the country’s infrastructure and economy. Mulilo’s nearly R15 billion pledge ranks among the announcements tied to expanding South Africa’s renewable energy capacity, according to Business Day.
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