Solar panels
Boikanyo Solar, situated in the Siyancuma local municipality, close to Douglas, in the Northern Cape, started commercial operations earlier this year, having reached grid code compliance on April 9.
This project, which took a year to build, is part of a portfolio of six projects owned by the same shareholders and procured under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme Bid Window 4, and is the last of the six to come online.
The shareholders are African Infrastructure Investment Managers through its IDEAS Fund, Reatile Solar Power, Phakwe Solar, African Rainbow Energy and Power and Cicada Community Trust.
“With over 184 000 solar modules harnessing the province’s intense sun, the 55 MW photovoltaic project will supply the national grid with 152 GWh/year of green energy, thereby helping to improve the country’s security of supply,” says Boikanyo Solar CEO Isaac Mmushi.
The project is located on 168 ha of low-value agricultural land and connects to the nearby Siyancuma 132 kV switching station.
The surrounding communities of Douglas, Bongani, Breipaal, Campbell and Griekwastad benefited directly from 450 jobs created during construction.
Further employment and opportunities were created through the subcontracting of various services. Such direct benefits are posited to continue throughout the 20-year operations period.
Also, over its 20-year operations period, the project will continue to ensure participatory inclusion of local communities in the design and implementation of socioeconomic and enterprise development initiatives. These programmes are aimed at building economic and social resilience, as well as increasing access to the local economy.
This solar facility is 100% South African-owned.