South Africa’s impressive solar power plants

South Africa is growing its alternative energy capacity with numerous photovoltaic power stations and wind farms across the country.

In recent months two major solar power plants went live, while two even larger concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) plants were announced.

SolarReserve announced on 11 November 2014 that the 96 megawatt (MW) photovoltaic (PV) Jasper solar power project was completed and fully operational.

The Sishen Solar Energy Facility came online in December 2014, with an estimated 216GWh per year of electricity generation.

In January the Department of Energy announced the construction of two new CSP plants, which will be built in the Northern Cape.

The Kathu Solar Park and Redstone Solar Thermal Power project, both of which will have 100MW capacity, are part of the government’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).

These solar power plants complement other large solar installations, including the Kalkbult Solar Park, Lesedi Solar Park, and Letsatsi Solar Park.

Here is a look at some of South Africa’s existing and planned solar power plants.

Kalkbult solar power station – 75MW

The 75 megawatt Kalkbult solar photovolataic power station started to provide the grid with electricity in November 2013.

The power station is located near Petrusville in the Northern Cape, and is producing 150,000MWh per annum. This is enough to power 35,000 homes.

Scatec Solar was awarded the Kalkbult project in December 2011, and it was completed in September 2013. It was connected to the grid three months earlier than planned.

Kalkbult solar power plant

Kalkbult solar power plant

Kalkbult solar power plant

Lesedi Solar Park – 75MW

The 75 megawatt Lesedi solar power project near Kimberley was completed in May 2014.

The Lesedi power project was awarded by the South Africa Department of Energy in the first round of bidding under the South Africa Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme. Lesedi began full commercial operations in May 2014.

Lesedi solar power plant

Lesedi solar power plant

Lesedi solar power plant panels

Letsatsi Solar Park – 75MW

The Letsatsi Solar Power Project near Bloemfontein was completed in May 2014 and is fully operational.

The project is playing its part in helping South Africa meet its renewable energy targets, in addition to stimulating long-term economic development and creating new jobs.

Letsatsi solar power plant

Letsatsi solar plant

Letsatsi solar power plant

Jasper solar power project – 96MW

In November 2014 SolarReserve announced that the 96 megawatt photovoltaic Jasper solar power project was fully operational.

Jasper is located in South Africa’s Northern Cape in a solar park that also includes the 75MW Lesedi solar power project.

With over 325,000 PV modules, the Jasper project is delivering 180,000 megawatt-hours of electricity annually for South African residents.

Jasper solar power project

Jasper solar power project

Jasper solar power project

Kathu Solar PV facility – 75MW

The 75MW Kathu Solar PV facility, based in the Northern Cape, commenced commercial operations in November 2014.

The project is expected to deliver 179GWh of clean energy into the grid annually, equivalent to the electricity requirements of 68,000 low-income households.

Kathu Solar Power Plant (photo courtesy of “visits to the park”)

Kathu Solar Power Plant (photo courtesy of “visits to the park”)

Kathu Solar Power Plant (photo courtesy of “visits to the park”)

Sishen Solar Energy Facility – 94MW

The Sishen Solar Energy Facility came online in December 2014, with an estimated electricity generation of 216GWh per year.

The solar plant has 319,600 photovoltaic modules, with a peak capacity of 94.3 megawatts (MWp) – 74 nominal MW.

Sishen Solar Energy Facility

Sishen Solar Energy Facility

Redstone CSP plant – 100MW (announced)

The planned 100MW Redstone concentrated solar thermal power plant, which forms part of the South African REIPPPP, will be the biggest plant of its kind in South Africa.

The first of its kind on the continent, the Redstone Solar Thermal Power Project features SolarReserve’s molten salt energy storage technology in a tower configuration with the capability to support South Africa’s demand for energy when it’s needed most – day and night.

The 100MW project with 12 hours of full-load energy storage will be able to deliver electricity to more than 200,000 South African homes during peak demand periods, even well after the sun has set.

The biggest benefit of the CSP plant is that it produces electricity without harmful emissions or hazardous materials, and without any fuel cost for the 30+ year life of the project.

The Redstone Solar Thermal Power project is scheduled to commence operations in early 2018.

Redstone Solar Thermal Power Plant

Redstone Solar Thermal Power Plant

Redstone Solar Thermal Power Plant

Kathu Solar Park – 100MW (announced)

The Kathu Solar Park project is a 100MW CSP project with parabolic trough technology.

The solar park project will be equipped with a molten salt storage system that allows 4.5 hours of thermal energy storage. It is situated in the Northern Cape Province, 600km south-west of Pretoria.

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