Global developer of utility-scale solar power projects SolarReserve has announced the completion of its 96 MW PV solar power plant at Jasper in South Africa’s Northern Cape region. The plant is now operational two months ahead of schedule and is located in an area that also includes the 75 MW Lesedi solar power project which came online in May this year. The proposed 100 MW Redstone concentrated solar power (CSP) plant is also to be located in the Jasper area and will feature the company’s CSP technology with integrated energy storage.
The Jasper project generated around 1 million man-hours during its construction phase, peaking at over 800 on-site construction jobs. The project is part of the South African Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPPP) and will accordingly set aside a percentage of its total revenues for enterprise development and socio-economic development for the benefit of local communities.
“In addition to helping South Africa meet its critical electricity needs, the Jasper Project will bring long lasting economic benefits to the region” said SolarReserve’s CEO Kevin Smith. “We look forward to continuing this positive momentum and bringing value to South Africa through collaboration on further projects, including our upcoming CSP projects that will provide South Africa with clean, reliable and non-intermittent electricity, day and night.”
The Jasper project incorporates over 325,000 PV modules and will deliver 180,000 megawatt-hours of renewable electricity annually for South African residents through a 20-year power purchase agreement with Eskom, the South African power utility company. This is enough to power up to 80,000 households.
Jasper was selected by the South Africa Department of Energy (DOE) in the second round of bids under the REIPPPP and also marked Google’s first renewable energy investment in Africa. It was developed by a consortium consisting of SolarReserve, the Kensani Group and Intikon Energy. Equity investment and ownership for the project was provided by a strong group of international and South African shareholders who jointly have experience in all aspects of development, funding and operations of solar energy projects.
The equity investment shareholders include the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), Intikon Energy, Kensani Capital Investments, Google, the PEACE Humansrus Community Trust, and SolarReserve with Rand Merchant Bank providing preference share equity. International law firm Baker & McKenzie supported the project activities through its offices in Johannesburg and the United States, with Kensani Eaglestone Capital Advisory acting as financial adviser.
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