Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa – 09 June 2025
- Crossroads Green Energy 1430MW Solar PV Cluster now fully permitted
- Construction planned to commence in Q4 2026
- Total Crossroads Green Energy Solar PV Project investment ~R15bn
- The Solar PV project will supply power to Coega Green Ammonia in
- Nelson Mandela Bay
Hive Hydrogen South Africa is developing one of the world’s largest green hydrogen projects—Coega Green Ammonia—located in Coega, Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape, that will 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 project has reached another major milestone with the completion of its 1430MW Solar PV Cluster Development phase, which will supply 40% of the plant’s power requirements. Developed in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa —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.
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 R105bn 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 20,000MW 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.”
A consortium comprising of the French renewable energy developer and IPP company, Akuo Energy, Africoast Investments South Africa and Golden Sunshine Trading South Africa have co-developed the nine Crossroads Green Energy solar PV sites close to the towns of Philipstown, Petrusville and Vanderkloof together with Hive Hydrogen .
Following the successful Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Records of Decision in May 2024 for 1,230MW of Solar PV, which have had no objections or land claims, the Crossroads Green Energy cluster was expanded by an additional 200MW. This supplementary EIA Record of Decision has been confirmed and most crucially the required permits, authorizations, 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 remarked that “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. “
About Hive Hydrogen South Africa
Hive Hydrogen South Africa is co-founded by Hive Energy and BuiltAfrica. The BuiltAfrica Group, located in Waterfall Point Office Park in Midrand near Johannesburg, was founded in 2008 by Thulani Gcabashe, former chairman of Standard Bank Group (2015–2022), Imperial Holdings Limited (2008–2015), MTN Zakhele Limited (2010–2015), and CEO of Eskom (2000–2007). The group specializes in developing renewable energy projects and in consulting on energy efficiency.
The Group focuses on developing renewable energy projects in South Africa,
having successfully participated in the South African government’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP) establishing several large scale solar generation plants, Hive Energy, headquartered in the UK, is the 75% shareholder of Hive Hydrogen SA and is the principal funder and co-developer of the project which located in Midrand, Gauteng and Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape.
Hive Energy was founded in 2010 by Giles Redpath to participate in the significant solar PV expansion across England. The company now operates in 22 countries globally with its largest commissioned projects in Spain.
The Hive Energy Group is recognised internationally as a trusted partner in the development, construction, and operation of large-scale renewable energy projects. Hive is known for its innovative approach and market leading vision across the renewable energy, circular economy, and Green Hydrogen industries. Hive has established some of the world’s leading solar PV projects, including the UK’s largest solar park at Cleve Hill in Kent (370MW), and is leading the development of one of the world’s largest Green Ammonia plants in South Africa and the first Green Hydrogen Hub in Spain.
In addition to its four giga scale Green Hydrogen/ammonia projects Hive is currently actively developing some 8,000 MW of renewable energy projects with a pipeline of over 20,000MW. To date, Hive’s projects have generated over $3billion capital expenditure in green energy projects, saving over 1.9m tonnes of CO2 each year.
About Coega Green Ammonia
Located in Coega, Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape South Africa, the Project site is fit-for-purpose and does not need the development and
construction of new significant infrastructure. Outstanding grid connected renewable energy assets with over 90% plant utilisation factor achievable makes this one of the global leaders in the rapidly evolving new Green Hydrogen Industry with one of the lowest selling prices in the industry anticipated.
The Green Ammonia Production Facility being developed by Hive Hydrogen South Africa has the following key attributes:
- Haber-Bosch Ammonia loop producing +1 000 000 metric tons per year
- Up to 1 120 MW of electrolyser
- Up to four 35 000 ton ammonia storage tanks
- 7km Cryogenic ammonia pipeline linking plant to deep water export berth
in Port of Ngqura;
Renewable Energy assets:
- Solar PV up to 1430 MW(ac)
- Two Wind Clusters of 1 272 MW, and 608 MW respectively
Green Ammonia will be exported predominantly to Off-takers in Europe and the Far East from the Port of Ngqura in Nelson Mandela Bay, adjacent to the Coega Special Economic Zone where the production plant is located.
All Press Enquiries and requests for photo’s:
veronique.grey@hivehydrogen.com
Coega Green Ammonia Project
