Matlosana Secures Billions in Solar Investment, Poised to Become North West's Clean Energy Hub
- Karen Scheepers
- 31 minutes ago
- 3 min read
The City of Matlosana has officially initiated a monumental economic and energy transformation, announcing billions of rands in renewable energy investments set to establish it as a premier clean energy hub in the North West Province. Following a comprehensive press conference hosted by the Local Economic Development (LED) Directorate, the municipality confirmed that construction on large-scale solar projects, marking the city's most substantial investment wave in over a decade, is anticipated to begin in 2026.
The press briefing, held on Monday, November 24, 2025, convened local media and a municipal delegation to articulate a clear message: Matlosana is actively positioning itself for economic renewal, aiming to be a competitive and investment-friendly city.
💡 A New Dawn: Projects Offer Lifeline to Underdevelopment
The Executive Mayor underscored the vital role of the projects, describing them as the city's largest in recent memory, with their timing being crucial. Facing significant challenges, including high unemployment, declining industrial activity, and chronic underdevelopment, the solar program represents a strategic pivot.
It is framed not just as an electricity generation initiative but as a comprehensive strategy for economic revitalisation and enhanced investor confidence. The developments, while strategically located near established infrastructure in areas like Stilfontein, Khuma, Orkney, Kanana, Hartbeesfontein, and Tigane, are intended to provide benefits across all ten regions of Matlosana.
🤝 Key Partnerships Driving the Green Transition
The municipality confirmed formal partnerships with four major renewable energy developers, forming one of the North West Province’s most significant renewable energy portfolios:
Scatec Solar
Mulilo Battery Energy Storage Project
OPEG Solar Project
Naos PV Project (SOLA Group)
These initiatives integrate both solar photovoltaic (PV) plants and battery energy storage systems (BESS), designed to ensure a stable, efficient, and climate-resilient power supply for the region.
💼 Economic Impact: Job Creation and SMME Opportunities
The combined investment is forecast to generate at least 2,000 jobs during the construction and operational phases, with potential for further expansion. A central focus is on ensuring local procurement, making opportunities accessible to local SMMEs, cooperatives, suppliers, and service providers.
Key economic advantages highlighted by the municipality include:
Local employment opportunities across multiple project phases.
Training and skills development programs in partnership with tertiary and skills development institutions.
Increased revenue generation for the municipality.
Strengthened investor confidence and long-term socio-economic development initiatives.
⚖️ Governance and Transparency: Correcting Past Mistakes
To ensure equitable access and accountability, the municipality has committed to a transparent approach, establishing a Project Stakeholder Steering Committee. This committee will oversee the project rollout and will include representatives from:
The Office of the Executive Mayor
The Municipal Manager
The LED Directorate
Town Planning
The Local Business Forum
Ward councillors and community representatives
The energy developers
The committee’s mandate is to ensure proper communication and fairness, signaling a commitment to correcting past governance challenges and ensuring open information sharing with the public.
🚀 The Future: Matlosana Open for Sustainable Business
The city has emphasized its dedication to streamlining administrative processes and removing investment bottlenecks to establish Matlosana as a prime destination for renewable energy and green industrialisation.
The expected outcomes of the solar projects include:
The addition of 600 or more Megawatts to Matlosana’s electricity grid.
A reduction in load-shedding pressures across the region.
Support for cleaner, more sustainable energy production.
Attracting new green investors into the North West Province.
An Era of Innovation and Shared Prosperity Begins
The press conference concluded by affirming that the City of Matlosana is entering a new chapter defined by innovation, sustainability, and shared prosperity. The combined efforts of municipal teams, LED officials, business stakeholders, and development partners have culminated in a program designed to build a city that actively creates jobs, attracts essential investment, and delivers an enhanced quality of life for all its residents.
🌞🤝💰🚀
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