HIVE Hydrogen South Africa, the developer of one of the world’s largest green hydrogen projects – Coega Green Ammonia – located in Coega, Nelson Mandela Bay, reached another major milestone in June, with the completion of its 1,430 MW Solar PV Cluster Development phase.
The Coega Green Ammonia plant is planned to produce over 1 million tons of ammonia annually using renewable solar and wind energy, desalinated water from the Indian Ocean, and nitrogen extracted from the air.
The Solar PV Cluster Development will supply 40% of the plant’s power requirements. Developed in the Northern Cape Province, one of the highest average annual solar irradiation areas globally, this will be the largest Solar PV project in the country and in the Southern Hemisphere, according to Hive.
Giles Redpath, CEO of Hive Energy, headquartered in the UK said “We are particularly pleased to have reached this important milestone in the week of the Africa Green Hydrogen Summit (12-13 June 2025) in Cape Town which marks another step forward for the continent in showcasing it’s potential to lead the global green hydrogen revolution. This is the largest Solar PV project the Hive Energy Group has in its portfolio across 22 countries, and it is a true testament to the South African government’s commitment and leadership position on renewable energy and its application in producing sustainable, clean fuels.”
Thulani Gcabashe, chairman of Hive Hydrogen South Africa, commented: “Our solar development phase has been strongly supported by the South African government through the Strategic Integrated Projects Team who have assisted us throughout the extensive consent and permitting processes necessary and are very thankful for their diligence, dedication and backing.
“With the conclusion now of this phase, our R105 billion Coega Green Ammonia Project development remains firmly on track to achieve commercial operation in Q4 2029. Additionally, we are pleased that our project’s planned grid strengthening program will unlock as much as 20,000 MW of additional grid capacity for Independent Power Producers in South Africa to connect their large projects to the grid.”
Mayor Andrew Samson of Renosterberg Local Municipality added, “We are proud to have the largest Solar PV project in the country within the Renosterberg Local Municipality in the Northern Cape and are delighted with the community engagement and professionalism of the Crossroads Green Energy Project Development Team and Hive Hydrogen. We are looking forward to constructing the project together and seeing the benefits it will bring to our people and the country.”
Together with Hive Hydrogen, a consortium comprising the French renewable energy developer and IPP company, Akuo Energy, Africoast Investments South Africa, and Golden Sunshine Trading South Africa has co-developed the nine Crossroads Green Energy solar PV sites close to the towns of Philipstown, Petrusville and Vanderkloof.
Following the successful Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Records of Decision in May 2024 for 1,230 MW of Solar PV, which had no objections or land claims, the Crossroads Green Energy cluster was expanded by an additional 200 MW. This supplementary EIA Record of Decision has been confirmed and, most crucially, the required permits, authorisations, clearances, and consents for the Cross Roads Green Energy project sites have now all been received.
Donald McGillivary and Venance da Silva, directors at Africoast Investments, highlighted that “Crossroads Green Energy is an exceptional ‘best practice’ solar power plant development that utilises a maximum of 10% of agricultural land ensuring minimal environmental impact. This approach allows the co-existence of agricultural production and renewable energy investments and provides a clear example of responsible and sustainable investments in green energy projects. All land is fully restored to its original state when the plant is decommissioned.”
Kennett Sinclair, the land and liaison manager and director at Golden Sunshine Trading, said: “This will bring a meaningful income for more farmers over a wider area, create more sustainable agricultural enterprises, increasing employment, improving the lives of communities and contributing to a cleaner environment for future generations.”
Akuo’s director, Xavier Ducret, reiterated that “it was a privilege and great experience working with all role-players, including the specialists and government entities, to get this massive game changing project to this crucial milestone. “
