Photo by: Reuters
Solar panels and systems designer SunPower on Monday started construction on the 86 MW peak Prieska solar power plant in the Northern Cape.
The project, which would become operational in 2016, was the third solar power plant to be built by SunPower under the South African government's Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).
In 2014, SunPower completed construction on two projects totalling 33 MW, near Douglas, in the Northern Cape.
"With an abundance of reliable, cost-effective solar resources, South Africa is one of the fastest-growing solar markets in the world today," said SunPower president and CEO Tom Werner.
"We are pleased to grow our presence in South Africa with the development of solar power plants that enable South Africa's government to achieve its renewable goals and look forward to continuing to serve the region with the opening of our new solar panel manufacturing plant this year."
Power from the Prieska project would be sold to power utility Eskom under a power purchase agreement.
About 700 jobs would be created during the project’s construction.
SunPower Oasis power plant technology would be installed at the Prieska site. The technology used single-axis trackers to position high-efficiency SunPower solar panels to face the sun throughout the day, increasing energy capture by up to 25% over fixed-tilt solar technology.
The project had been secured under a project development agreement with South African Mulilo Solar Enterprises and Total, SunPower's majority shareholder. The project company in charge of implementing the project is owned by affiliated companies, including Total and Mulilo Solar Enterprises.