Solar power supply hots up

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Significant carbon reduction

With its record 9,3 hours thermal energy storage capacity, the Bokpoort CSP project will provide electricity to approximately 21,000 households during the day as well as night time and save approximately 230,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions during every year of operation.

Blueprint for sustainability

“The project instils confidence in government’s long term infrastructure roll out, providing energy access, contributing to economic, community and sustainable development,” says trade and industry minister, Rob Davies.

Within five years, the REIPPP has attracted R194 billion of investment and is fast becoming a global model and blueprint for other countries, providing policy certainty and transparency.

Socio-economic impact

The minister says the project has a major socio-economic development impact for the Northern Cape and South Africa. Over R2,4 billion was spent on local content, with 40% of the Bokpoort plant being sourced and manufactured locally. This includes the manufacturing and assembly of solar field collector steel structures and the supply of piping and cables.

During construction peak time, more than 1,200 people worked on site, while 70 permanent jobs have been created to operate and maintain the plant. The plant was constructed over 30 months.

“The operation of the plant will provide electricity to the Eskom grid to power communities and industry by ensuring a reliable source of renewable energy and increasing power supply,” he concludes.