Yellow Door Energy and Nedbank CIB achieve financial close on 49 MWp Lion Thorn Solar Park in South Africa
Johannesburg, South Africa; 2 September 2026 – Yellow Door Energy and Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking (Nedbank CIB) have achieved financial close on 49 MWp Lion Thorn Solar Park in Leeudoringstad, North West. Nedbank CIB is financing the utility-scale solar project, enabling construction to proceed.
The utility-scale solar project has secured long-term power purchase agreements with PPC and POWERX, a NERSA-licensed private electricity trader. Once operational, it is expected to generate approximately 115 gigawatt-hours of renewable electricity in its first year and avoid an estimated 104 190 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
The transaction comes as private investment in South Africa’s electricity sector continues to grow and supports the development of new renewable generation capacity while contributing to South Africa’s energy transition, long-term energy security and economic growth.
In 2025, NERSA-registered private generation projects represented an estimated R158 billion in investment and 7 464 MW of generation capacity.
Hlatse Nkune, Principal of Power and Renewables Finance at Nedbank CIB, said: ‘South Africa’s electricity market is evolving, creating new opportunities for renewable energy developers, traders and corporate customers. Lion Thorn Solar Park demonstrates how innovative financing and long-term offtake arrangements can unlock new generation capacity, strengthen energy security and support the country’s transition to a more sustainable energy future. Transactions such as these are critical to accelerating private sector participation in the energy market and expanding access to reliable electricity. At Nedbank CIB, we are proud to partner with Yellow Door Energy, which helps accelerate sustainable energy growth through innovative financing.’
Construction is scheduled to begin in September 2026, with commissioning anticipated in 2028. The project is also expected to create employment and economic opportunities during construction and operations.
John Taylor, Managing Director for Yellow Door Energy South Africa, said, ‘Reaching financial close on Lion Thorn Solar Park is an important milestone for Yellow Door Energy and demonstrates our ability to develop bankable, large-scale renewable energy projects in South Africa. The project will provide reliable, cost-effective clean electricity to our customers while supporting energy security, economic growth and the country’s transition to a lower-carbon future.’
Once commissioned, Lion Thorn Solar Park will add new renewable generation capacity to South Africa’s electricity system, which will help diversify the country’s energy supply and support growing demand for reliable electricity.
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About Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking
Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking is a division of Nedbank, a leading African bank that provides transactional, corporate, and investment banking services to local and global markets. Nedbank CIB’s client base includes leading corporations, financial institutions, state-owned entities, and governments across Africa. Visit cib.nedbank.co.za.
About Yellow Door Energy
Yellow Door Energy (YDE) is an Independent Power Producer (IPP) which provides cost-competitive renewable energy solutions to leading energy-intensive users in South Africa and the Middle East. With flexible contract terms in the power purchase agreements (PPAs), YDE’s team of energy experts deliver projects swiftly, safely and sustainably. The team is committed to helping large businesses decarbonise their operations, reduce their energy costs and secure their energy supply. YDE’s shareholders are Actis, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Mitsui & Co., Ltd., and The Arab Energy Fund (TAEF). Visit yellowdoorenergy.com.
Media contacts
Refilwe Boikanyo
Head of Public Relations and Communications at Nedbank CIB
Tumi Manamela
Marketing Communications Manager at Nedbank
