A joint venture (JV) has been appointed to build a 60 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Boshof, in the Free State.

Solar energy services provider SunEdison appointed the JV, comprising design, engineering, procurement and construction company Basil Read Matomo and construction and maintenance of large energy infrastructure company Isolux Ingenieria.

Boshof registers some of the highest solar irradiation levels in the country, which makes it well suited to electricity generation from solar power.

PV Power Plant

The scope of the project covers the construction of the 60 MW solar PV power plant, including the substation and interconnection facility required for connection to the 132 kV Eskom grid.

The project was given notice to proceed last month and a fast-track implementation should result in connection to the national grid by the end of August next year.

South Africa has a high level of renewable-energy potential and is currently targeting the generation of 10 000 GWh of renewable energy, which will account for about 5% of the country’s total power generation.

The Department of Energy (DoE) has determined that 3 725 MW, to be generated from renewable-energy sources, is required to ensure the continued uninterrupted supply of electricity.

The project forms part of government’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme, which is designed to contribute to the 3 725 MW target and facilitate socioeconomic and environmentally sustainable growth, while stimulating the renewable-energy industry in South Africa.

“We look forward to creating an enviable record for energy turnkey projects through our JV with Isolux. The JV is committed to creating value-add for shareholders and upholding the important economic development obligations, as required by the DoE,” says Basil Read Matomo director of energy Marius von Wielligh.