The Rise of Solar Power Stations in South Africa
Solar Power Stations in South Africa once backed massive development in nuclear power as a way to meet its growing energy needs with clean power, with the technology shaping the foundation of its 2010 coordinates resource arrangement (IRP). But by 2018, the spiraling costs of nuclear power had led it to change its tack.
Its 2018 IRP called for 5.7GW of solar power to be included in the grid by 2030, on best of the about 1.5GW right now in use in the nation. Much of South Africa’s solar industry is based in its Northern Cape locale.
Some of the leading Solar Power Plants in South Africa
1. Jasper Solar Power Project
Another solar farm in the Northern Cape locale, the Jasper Solar Power Project is a 96MW plant consisting of 325,000 solar panels that has been online since October 2014. The American company SolarReserve built the plant at a cost of ZAR2.3bn.
Solar Jasper can Produce 180GWh Electricity
The plant produces 180GWh of power per year, enough to control 80,000 homes in South Africa, and will balance over 145,000 tons of CO2 each year. Like many of the other solar plants said, Jasper has a 20-year power buy understanding (PPA) in place with Eskom.
2. Kathu Solar Park
Kathu is the biggest solar park in South Africa with a capacity of 100MW. Development commenced on the plant in May 2016 and it started commercial operation in January 2019, with an operational life of 30 years.
Average Price of Kathu Solar Park
The park was estimated to cost $811m (ZAR12bn) and will save six million tons of CO2 outflows over the next 20 years. It will produce enough energy to control 179,000 South African homes during top request periods.
Kathu Solar Park is trying to save Plants
It has further supported its natural qualifications by setting out on a project to secure imperiled and sensitive plant species. As a portion of the plot, a few 3,345 plants were protected and moved to a safer area for growth.
3. Solar Capital De Aar Project 1 and 2
The Solar Capital De Aar Project is based in the Northern Cape locale. Project 1 was completed in August 2014 and has a capacity of fair over 85MW, Venture 2 was included in April 2016 with a capacity of 90MW, giving it a combined capacity of 175MW. The whole office covers 500 hectares and is shaped of 700,000 solar panels. It is owned by Solar Capital, who invested $400m into the project to make it one of the greatest in the Southern Hemisphere. Solar Capital has entered into a 20-year PPA with South African state energy company Eskom to supply power at a fixed price.
4.Mulilo Sonnedix Prieska PV
In 2016, Mulilo Prieska PV completed another solar plant in the Northern Cape region. In the former zinc mining town of Copperton.
If you want to learn more about solar panels, our blog section is a great place to go.
Conclusion:
Solar Power Stations in South Africa are transitioning from a heavy dependence on nuclear power to embracing renewable energy sources like solar power. Demonstrating its commitment to sustainable development and environmental responsibility. This move is not only addressing growing energy demands but also reducing carbon emissions. The Integrated Resource Plan and major solar projects position South Africa to lead the way in renewable energy with ambitious goals. The ongoing development of solar farms, particularly in the Northern Cape. It showcases the potential of solar power to contribute to the nation’s energy grid and combat climate change.
FAQ’s:
Solar power stations reduce carbon outflows, provide clean energy, create jobs, and help meet the growing energy needs of the population. They also contribute to energy security and independence.
Solar farms can have positive natural impacts by reducing dependence on fossil power. Lowering greenhouse gas emissions. And often joining conservation efforts, such as the security of local plant species.
The state-owned power utility, Eskom, purchases power generated by solar farms through long-term PPAs, providing a stable revenue stream for solar developers.
