Enel Green Power (EGP), has announced the beginning of construction of three solar photovoltaic (PV) plants in South Africa – in Aurora, Paleisheuwel and Tom Burke. Power from the plants will be sold to state utility, Eskom.
The Italy-based solar developer EGP was awarded the contracts in the third phase of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPPP), a tender held by the South African government in October 2013. As part of the same process, EGP also won the right to build the 82.5 MW Pulida PV park, the 111 MW Gibson Bay wind farm and the 88 MW Cookhouse/Nojoli wind farm.
The three power plants will generate a total capacity of 231 MW and will be installed in Northern Cape Province, Western Cape Province and Limpopo Provinces. The Aurora plant, located in Northern Cape Province, will have a capacity of 82.5 MW and be capable of generating 168 GWh, which is enough for around 53 000 South African households. The Paleisheuwel PV plant will have an installed capacity of 82.5 MW and will be built in the Western Cape. Once fully operational, it will generate some 153 GWh of solar power per year. Meanwhile, the Tom Burke PV plant, in Limpopo province, will have an installed capacity of 66 MW and will generate up to 122 GWh per year.
These projects are in line with growth targets set out in Enel Green Power's 2014-18 business plan, the company said.