Brief
Yellow Door Energy and Nedbank CIB secure financing for 49 MWp Lion Thorn Solar Park
The utility‑scale project will generate about 115 GWh annually and avoid over 104,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Yellow Door Energy and Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking have reached financial close on the 49 MWp Lion Thorn Solar Park in Leeudoringstad, North West, according to bizcommunity.com.
What happened
The financing agreement, announced on 12 Oct 2026, enables the solar park to move to construction, scheduled to start in September 2026 with commissioning expected in 2028.
What the reports add
The project has secured long‑term power purchase agreements with PPC and PowerX, a NERSA‑licensed private electricity trader. Once operating, it is projected to produce roughly 115 gigawatt‑hours of renewable electricity in its first year and avoid an estimated 104,190 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
What was said
Hlatse Nkune, principal of Power and Renewables Finance at Nedbank CIB, said the market is evolving and that the deal “demonstrates how innovative financing and long‑term offtake arrangements can unlock new generation capacity.” John Taylor, managing director for Yellow Door Energy South Africa, called reaching financial close “an important milestone” that shows the company’s ability to develop bankable, large‑scale renewable projects.
How it came about
The transaction reflects growing private investment in South Africa’s electricity sector, which in 2025 saw private generation projects valued at roughly R158 billion and 7,464 MW of capacity.
Key facts
- Yellow Door Energy and Nedbank CIB achieved financial close on the 49 MWp Lion Thorn Solar Park. (bizcommunity.com)
- Construction is set to begin in September 2026 with commissioning expected in 2028. (bizcommunity.com)
- The project will generate about 115 GWh of renewable electricity annually and avoid roughly 104,190 tonnes of carbon emissions. (bizcommunity.com)
Sources
- [1] bizcommunity.com — originally reported as “Yellow Door Energy and Nedbank CIB achieve financial close on 49 MWp Lion Thorn Solar Park”
