SA new green energy project to power over 200 000 homes each year

SolarReserve energy plant

The new 100-megawatt Redstone Solar Thermal Power Project in Northern Cape, with 1 200 megawatt-hours of energy storage, will reliably deliver non-intermittent power to South Africa’s electricity grid – even well after the sun has set.

As part of the South African Department of Energy’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), a group led by SolarReserve and International Company for Power and Water (ACWA Power) have signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with Eskom, for the Redstone Solar Thermal Power Project.

The 100-megawatt power station will deliver a stable supply of clean electricity to the equivalent of more than 200 000 South African homes each year.

The Redstone project will be located near Postmasburg in the Northern Cape, adjacent to the 75 MW Lesedi and 96 MW Jasper photovoltaic (PV) solar power projects successfully developed and implemented by SolarReserve.

The 100 megawatt power station will deliver a stable supply of clean electricity to the equivalent of more than 200 000 South African homes each year

The first of its kind in Africa, the Redstone project will utilise SolarReserve’s proprietary ThermaVault technology – the world’s most advanced solar thermal technology with integrated molten salt energy storage, which solves the intermittency issues experienced with other renewable energy solutions and is dispatchable 24/7.

SolarReserve will supply the core technology for the project, including the molten salt receiver designed and manufactured by SolarReserve, which is the heart of the power station, along with the heliostat collector field controls and tracking system.

Kevin Smith, CEO of SolarReserve, says: “The Redstone project marks an important technology advancement for South Africa in clean, renewable power.

“Due to fully integrated thermal energy storage, the facility will provide power on-demand, just like conventional coal, oil, nuclear or natural gas-fired power plants, but without harmful emissions or hazardous materials, and without any fuel cost or foreign exchange risk. We look forward to working with our partners and stakeholders, including the communities where the project is located, to support South Africa in meeting its energy supply targets, stimulating long-term economic development, and creating new jobs and businesses.”

South Africa’s REIPPPP programme has become a global standard for renewable energy procurement. In addition to cost-effective energy procured through the competitive tendering process, renewable energy projects awarded under the programme must meet minimum requirements for local procurement, employment and economic development.

Alistair Jessop, senior vice president of SolarReserve, says: “The REIPPPP is a world-class programme that SolarReserve and its partners and investors are committed to supporting as a long-term partner and investor.

“As a direct result of the programme, our operating and awarded projects in South Africa will invest over R1,3 billion in economic and socio-economic development. Our projects in operation generated over R3 million man-hours during construction, and Redstone will create in excess of 4,000 jobs,” Jessop concludes.

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