SolarReserve, a global developer of utility-scale solar power projects and advanced solar thermal technology, announced the completion of two 75-megawatt (MW-DC) solar photovoltaic (PV) projects.
The projects supply power to the Eskom South African electric grid with renewable energy. The Lesedi and Letsatsi Projects, totaling 150 MW-DC of installed capacity, are capable of powering more than 130,000 South African homes with clean energy.
Combined, the two projects generated 2.3 million man-hours during construction, the company said.
The Lesedi Project and Letsatsi Project, each respectively located in the Northern Cape and the Free State, were selected by the South Africa Department of Energy (DOE) in the first round of bids under the REIPPPP.
The projects have each executed 20-year power purchase agreements with Eskom, the South African power utility company ranked as one of the top 20 utilities in the world by power generation.
“The social and economic benefits that these projects are imparting in South Africa today demonstrate the positive results of close cooperation between the U.S. and South African governments along with private companies in each nation,” said SolarReserve’s CEO Kevin Smith.
“We look forward to continuing this positive momentum through collaboration on further projects, including concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) plants, featuring SolarReserve’s industry-leading CSP technology with integrated energy storage,” Smith added. “Our upcoming CSP projects will provide South Africa with clean, reliable and non-intermittent electricity, day and night.”
The projects were developed and financed by a consortium including SolarReserve, the IDEAS Managed Fund, the Kensani Group, GCL Poly Energy Holdings and Intikon Energy.
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