South Africa to Build a Mega Solar Park at Upington

The South African Government is in the process of starting a solar park that could generate around 5,000 MW of clean electricity. Currently the country is depending on coal generated electricity for its use.

Themba Maseko, a spokesman for the Government said that the initial estimates worked out for the project requires an investment of around 150 billion rand. He added that depending upon the response from the investors and the participating companies the construction of the project could start during the year 2012. He further said that a feasibility study conducted by the U.S-based Clinton Climate Initiative and the Department of Energy on aspects such as location and the technology to be included in the project had zeroed in on Upington, a dry location situated in Northern Cape region for the project. Maseko clarified that on completion of the feasibility study the government is planning to hold an investors conference and present the details to understand the interest of the investors in supporting the large sized green power generating initiative.

Meanwhile, Eskom, the power utility company owned by the state has taken initiatives to move into solar power generation as a part of its power generation process and to lessen its carbon footprint. The utility is under the process of constructing a 100 MW concentrated solar power plant by availing a World Bank loan. The plant constructed at an estimated investment of 7 billion rand is also located in the Northern Cape region. The government is considering the inclusion of the plant in the proposed giant solar park.