Solarise Africa, Idstone launch solar irrigation project to boost agri stability in South Africa
New system promises reliable irrigation and lower energy costs for farms facing electricity shortages.
SOUTH AFRICA – Solarise Africa and Idstone have completed the installation of a solar-powered irrigation system in South Africa’s Northern Cape, marking a major step toward more stable and cost-efficient farming operations.
The project, which includes two solar photovoltaic systems driving high-efficiency water pumps, aims to improve irrigation reliability while reducing energy expenses and dependence on unstable grid power.
The project features over 2,100 solar panels installed across two pump stations. At the farm’s irrigation pump station, 780 panels feed four ABB variable speed drive pumps that pull water from an on-site dam.
These pumps, managed manually by the farm’s team, now rely primarily on solar energy. At a nearby river pump station in Plooysburg, the second system powers eight ABB pumps that move water from the river to the farm dam.
Together, the systems generate more than 1.2 MWp of solar capacity and are expected to produce around 2.3 GWh of clean energy every year.
“This solar installation is not just an energy upgrade, it’s a step towards building a more sustainable, independent agricultural future,” said Roscoe Lawrence of Idstone.
“We now have reliable, cost-effective power that allows us to focus on what we do best: growing food and supporting our community.”
By cutting fuel use and reducing reliance on South Africa’s unstable electricity supply, the new system supports continuous farming operations, even during periods of load-shedding or price changes in the national grid.
Lower emissions, stronger business case
The long-term benefits stretch beyond water supply. The system is expected to save Idstone Farms more than ZAR 25 million in energy costs during its lifetime.
It will also reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 2,200 tonnes each year, which is equal to removing more than 480 cars from the road annually.
“This project exemplifies the strength of partnerships that prioritise sustainability, performance, and local resilience,” said Sakkie van Wijk, Co-Founder and COO of Solarise Africa.
“We are proud to work alongside visionary clients like Idstone who are taking bold steps to futureproof their operations while improving efficiency and reducing emissions.”
The project also qualifies for South Africa’s Section 12B tax incentive, helping improve its financial return while demonstrating how private sector innovation can support sustainable farming.
Growing interest across the continent
This project comes at a time when the country’s farmers are struggling to keep up with rising electricity costs and frequent power cuts. Loadshedding has affected irrigation schedules and led to crop losses across key commodities such as maize, sugarcane, and fruit. Some livestock farms have also reported heavy losses due to power failures affecting cooling systems.
Solar irrigation is gaining attention beyond South Africa. Across Africa, only about 4 percent of farmland is irrigated, yet more than 40 percent of the population depends on agriculture. Studies suggest that solar irrigation could meet over a third of the crop water needs for small-scale farmers in sub-Saharan Africa.
Innovative financing models such as Pay-As-You-Grow and Pay-As-You-Own have allowed more farmers to adopt solar systems without paying large amounts upfront.
Research firm 6Wresearch forecasts strong growth for Africa’s solar irrigation market through 2031, with South Africa, Egypt, and Nigeria leading the way due to growing interest in climate resilience and energy stability.
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