Riyadh-based water and power developer Acwa Power will start operations at its 50 MW molten salt solar project in the Northern Cape in 2016.

The company said on Thursday that the Bokpoort concentrated solar power (CSP) independent power project, in Groblershoop, near Upington, was currently in its commissioning phase.

The project formed part of government’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme and “effectively” allowed for the banking of excess solar energy during the day, which could then be released after sunset, enabling consistent electricity supply during the peak demand period 17:00 to 21:00.

The storage capacity of 1 300 MWht, which was equivalent to about 9.3 hours of operation, was the largest-ever adopted by a solar power plant of this class in the world, said Acwa Power.

“This makes CSP the only renewable technology at a commercial scale that is able to meet the country’s daily peak demand, thereby helping to prevent load-shedding,” the company said in a statement.

The solar energy generated by the 658 000 m2 of reflector area will be fed directly into Eskom’s Garona substation, located next to the site, under a 20-year power purchase agreement.

“We are proud to be a part of creating a sustainable future for South Africa through the reliable delivery of renewable electricity. This project allows for delivery of electricity at the lowest possible cost into Eskom’s national power supply network, and will also enhance local socioeconomic development and long-term growth,” Acwa Power chairperson Mohammed Abunayyan said.

LOCAL EMPLOYMENT CREATION
The Bokpoort project created more than 1 100 local jobs at the peak of its construction – 390 from the surrounding community – and over 50 permanent employment opportunities would be made available during the operation of the power facility.

In addition, the initiative facilitated local shareholding in the project company and allowed for the participation of high-level broad-based black economic-empowerment companies for construction, operation and maintenance.
In demonstrating its long-term commitment to South Africa and the community in which it will be operating, Acwa Power has given R5-million towards a number of development programmes in partnership with the !Kheis municipality.

These included the installation and maintenance of 300 photovoltaic (PV) solar systems for homes in the Duinefeld township, which had no prior access to electricity.

The funds would also provide 30 computers to Goblershoop High School, with full Internet access and were used to extend the local Palms Training Centre to a technical training centre, providing a three-month basic technical training course. More than 30 of these trainees were employed during the construction of the CSP project.

Further, the funds sponsored five !Kheis youths to become coded welders after a two-year apprenticeship programme at Steinmüller Engineering in Gauteng, as well as the awarding of three bursaries to start nontechnical and technical training in the area.

The fund also donated bicycles to local primary school children enabling them to cycle to school.