Name and Location
Mulilo Sonnedix Prieska photovoltaic (PV) solar plant project, Northern Cape, South Africa.

Client
Sonnedix and Mulilo Renewable Energy developed the project in partnership with Ixowave Women in Power.

Project Description
The project involves the construction of an 86 MW PV project on a 125 ha site, 50 km south-west of Prieska. The project comprises 275 000 PV modules, connected by 990 km of cable.

The plant technology uses single-axis trackers to position high-efficiency solar panels to face the sun throughout the day, increasing energy capture by up to 25%, compared with fixed-tilt solar technology.

The project will sell the electricity it produces to State-owned power utility Eskom under a power purchase agreement and was selected under the third bid window of the South African Department of Energy’s (DoE’s) Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme.

Value
The project represents an investment of more than R1.3-billion. Financial close on the project was achieved in December 2014.

Duration
The power plant entered commercial operation on July 22, 2016, following a 17-month construction period.

Latest Developments
The project is now operating commercially and will be run under the auspices of the DoE for 20 years. Sonnedix will manage ongoing operations over the solar plant’s life span.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
juwi Renewable Energies (engineering, procurement and construction, and operations and maintenance services) and SunPower (monocrystalline modules).

On Budget and on Time?
The project was completed on time and on budget.

Contact Details for Project Information
Sonnedix, email enquiries@sonnedix.com.
juwi group press officer Felix Wächter, tel +49 6732 96 57 1244 or email waechter@juwi.de.