South Africa is hoping to reduce its dependence on coal in its electricity sector with the development of one of the world’s largest solar parks.
The South African government is set to unveil plans for the 5 GW park at the end of October, and has tasked US engineering firm Fluor with producing a conceptual master plan for the project.
The project is expected to cost up to 200 billion rand (£18.4 billion) and would involve the installation of solar panels and mirrors in Northern Cape province.
It could provide up to ten per cent of South Africa’s power needs, says the South African government, and could start producing electricity by the end of 2012. Some 9000 ha of state-owned land in Northern Cape province – one of the sunniest places in the world – have been earmarked for the development.
A pre-feasibility study on the project has already been completed by the Clinton Initiative, according to Fluor, whose conceptual master plan will be followed up with a detailed design plan. “We are closely collaborating with South Africa’s Department of Energy and the Clinton Climate Initiative on this potential flagship solar power development,” said Dave Dunning, president of Fluor’s Power Group.
South Africa’s Department of Energy is planning to establish a Solar Park Authority as a unit within the state-owned Central Energy Fund to help advance the project. The solar park could host both proven and emerging solar technologies, says Fluor.
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