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Free State

Free State is a province of South Africa, located in the centre of the country. The provincial capital is Bloemfontein, which also serves as the judicial capital of South Africa. The province is characterised by its vast agricultural lands, with maize farming and livestock production forming the backbone of its rural economy. Free State is also significant for its mining sector, particularly gold mining in the Goldfields region around Welkom, though this industry has declined from its historical peak. The province has emerged as an important location for renewable energy development, hosting numerous solar photovoltaic projects that contribute to South Africa's independent power producer programme. Its flat terrain and high solar irradiation levels make it well suited to large-scale solar installations. Other economic activities include manufacturing, particularly in Bloemfontein and the industrial centres of Sasolburg and Harrismith. The province shares borders with six other provinces and with Lesotho, an independent mountain kingdom entirely surrounded by South African territory. Free State was known as the Orange Free State until 1995, when it was renamed following the end of apartheid.

Free State News


Department lays the groundwork for South Africa’s future water security
29th May 2026 By: Natasha Odendaal

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) continues to advance national bulk water and national resource projects across South Africa. During her Budget Vote speech this month, Water and... 


The sod turning ceremony was attended by a high-powered delegation, including Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa (centre)
Eskom flags big renewables ambitions as it starts work on 75 MW solar project alongside Lethabo coal station
27th May 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Eskom has started construction of a 75 MW solar PV project alongside its Lethabo coal-fired power station in the Free State, which is expected to generate some 147 GWh yearly once at full... 


Gary Shayne, CEO of Origin Enterprises, bets on specialist steel fabrication for waterworks and SA's industrial recovery
Origin Enterprises backs specialist steel fabrication for SA's industrial recovery
21st May 2026

South Africa's industrial fabrication sector is in the early stages of a consolidation cycle that will reshape the segment over the next decade. Origin Enterprises, a diversified group led by Gary... 


The Natref refinery in Sasolburg
Sasol upbeat on market demand for Natref’s premium SAF and renewable diesel
15th May 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Energy and chemicals group Sasol, which recently secured product-sustainability certification for jet fuel and diesel produced from used cooking oil and vegetable oils at its Natref refinery, says... 


A border post between South Africa and Zimbabwe
BMA names winning bidders for R12bn project to redevelop six ports of entry
15th May 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

The Border Management Authority (BMA) has announced the winning bidders for the R12-billion redevelopment of its six busiest land border posts, confirming a mix of private sector partnerships that... 


Financing the transition: Why agriculture's future depends on smarter capital
5th May 2026

South African farmers are being asked – by consumers, financiers, and the environment itself – to fundamentally rethink how they produce food. The shift towards regenerative agriculture is no... 


Afrox signs renewable energy supply agreement with Discovery Green
Afrox signs renewable energy supply agreement with Discovery Green
5th May 2026

Afrox, sub-Saharan Africa’s industrial gases and welding products company, has signed a ten-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Discovery Green to supply renewable energy to its Kuilsriver air... 


An artist impression of the Middlepunt solar PV plant
Mulilo says Middlepunt PV plant to supply cheapest REIPPPP-procured electricity
1st May 2026 By: Terence Creamer

South African independent power producer Mulilo reports that its 337 MWdc Middlepunt solar PV plant will deliver electricity at R458/MWh when it enters into commercial operation in the coming 24... 


Rising infrastructure crime, electricity outages push telecom resilience costs higher – Icasa
1st May 2026 By: Natasha Odendaal

Theft, vandalism and electricity outages continue to weigh on South Africa’s telecommunications sector, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa’s (Icasa’s) latest ‘State of the... 


PROJECT ACTIVITY: Financial close on the 380 MW Beaufort West Solar PV facility, an artist impression of which is shown here, increased the number of Mulilo projects to have reach the milestone this year to four. The independent power producer’s other project announcements relate to theOrkney Solar PVproject located in the North West province, as well as theMiddlepunt Solar PVandMercury battery storage projects in the Free State. The financial close announcements add credibility to a R15-billion investment pledge made by Mulilo at the South Africa Investment Conference in March.
PROJECT ACTIVITY
1st May 2026

Financial close on the 380 MW Beaufort West Solar PV facility, an artist impression of which is shown here, increased the number of Mulilo projects to have reach the milestone this year to four.... 


The Natref refinery in Sasolburg
Sasol optimistic of market demand for Natref’s premium SAF and renewable diesel
28th April 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Energy and chemicals group Sasol, which recently secured product-sustainability certification for jet fuel and diesel produced from used cooking oil and vegetable oils at its Natref refinery, says... 


A generic image of wastewater
Council laments systems’ deterioration
24th April 2026

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has noted, with concern, the release of the 2025 Green Drop report and the progress assessment reports from the Blue and No Drop programmes by the... 


Mulilo’s Mercury battery storage project achieves financial close
Mulilo’s Mercury battery storage project achieves financial close
24th April 2026 By: Terence Creamer

South African independent power producer Mulilo, which announced at the recent South Africa Investment Conference that it would be investing R15-billion in new renewables and storage projects,... 


Neal Froneman
Wallington, Froneman to join Neo Energy Metals board
22nd April 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Uranium and gold development company Neo Energy Metals has appointed World Gold Council chairperson and former Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Neal Froneman as independent nonexecutive chairperson, with... 


‘Green Drop’ report spotlights South Africa’s deteriorating municipal wastewater systems
17th April 2026 By: Natasha Odendaal

The Department of Water and Sanitation’s (DWS’s) latest Green Drop report and the Blue and No Drop progress assessment report paint a grim picture of the deteriorating state of South Africa’s water... 


Uranium and gold opportunities.
More steps being taken to advance promising South African uranium/gold endowment
10th April 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Uranium development company Neo Energy Metals stated in a London Stock Exchange announcement on Tuesday, March 24, that it is negotiating an agreement with Sibanye-Stillwater to secure unrestricted... 


Zimi, Charge Holdings sign deal to electrify freight traffic along N3 highway
10th April 2026 By: Irma Venter

Zimi and Charge Holdings have announced a three-year agreement to enable the rollout of electric vehicle (EV) freight operations along South Africa’s N3 highway. Zimi is a logistics aggregator, and... 


Rand Water spokesperson Makenosi Maroo
Water is not endless, let’s protect this precious resource
10th April 2026

By Rand Water spokesperson Makenosi Maroo  Water is life. It really is that simple, yet it is something we often take for granted. Every person, every animal, every plant on this planet depends on... 


South Africa’s Industrial Development Corporation Just Energy Transition Investment Plan green hydrogen:  programme director Rebecca Maserumule.
South Africa's green hydrogen pursuit spelt out at UNIDO conference
8th April 2026 By: Martin Creamer

South Africa spelled out a detailed green hydrogen pursuit roadmap at the United Nations Industry Development Organisation (UNIDO) conference attended by 70 countries in Vienna on Wednesday, April... 


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