The Kathu solar photovoltaic (PV) facility, in the Northern Cape, is expected to deliver 179 GWh/y of clean energy to the national grid.
Project owner Renewable Energy Investments South Africa (REISA) achieved the scheduled commercial operations date in August 2014 under its power purchase agreement (PPA) and the project has since been operating at full capacity, successfully delivering electricity to the national grid. The project started commercial production in November.
The project has over 340 000 installed solar PV modules with a combined generating capacity of 75 MW.
The Kathu solar PV facility was one of the largest solar PV projects selected as a preferred bidder in round one of the South African Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme in December 2011.
The project’s investment consortium comprises African Infrastructure Investment Fund 2, the Infrastructural Development and Environ-mental Assets Managed Fund, BuiltAfrica Kathu 75 Solar, Building Energy Development Africa and the Kathu Solar Community Trust.
REISA CEO Richard Gordon says REISA shareholders recognise that effective infrastructure is vital for the economic growth and development of the African continent.
Communities located near the project will benefit from dividends flowing to the Kathu Solar Community Trust over the 20-year project life.