Name and Location
Redstone solar thermal power project, Northern Cape, South Africa.

Client
South Africa’s Department of Energy (DoE) awarded global developer of utility-scale solar power projects SolarReserve and Saudi water and power developer, owner and operator ACWA Power preferred bidder status for the 100 MW concentrating solar power (CSP) project in January.

Project Description
The project is a response to Round 3 of the DoE’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme.

The first of its kind in Africa, the Redstone solar thermal power project features SolarReserve’s molten salt energy storage technology in a tower configuration, with the capability to support South Africa’s demand for energy when it is needed most, regardless of it being day or night.

The 100 MW project with 12 hours of full-load energy storage will be able to deliver a stable electricity supply to more than 200 000 South African homes during peak demand periods, even after sunset. Fuelled completely by the sun, with no backup power required, the project also features dry cooling of the power generation cycle as an important element to minimise water use. The project’s technology will be based on SolarReserve’s Crescent Dunes project, in the US, which is complete and currently in final commissioning.

The project will be located adjacent to the 75 MW Lesedi and 96 MW Jasper photovoltaic (PV) solar power projects developed by SolarReserve and its partners. Together, the three projects comprise the world’s first combined CSP and PV solar park with a total of 271 MW of generating capacity.

Value
South African companies will provide investment for the project of at least R2.4-billion

Duration
The project is scheduled to reach financial close in late 2015 and start operation in early 2018.

Latest Developments
None stated.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
SolarReserve media, Mary Grikas, tel +1 310 315 2274 or email Mary.Grikas@SolarReserve.com.
ACWA Power media, Naif AbuSaida, tel +966 55 88 11461 or email nabuSaida@ACWAPower.com.