Mainstream Renewable Power says it start construction in November on its wind and solar energy projects in South Africa after signing a number of key project agreements with the country’s government.
The renewable energy development company is developing 238 MW of capacity in South Africa under the government’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer (REIPP) programme.
It said on 12 November 2012 that it would issue its construction contractors with notice to proceed on the three projects.
The one wind energy and two solar power projects represent an investment value of more that €500 million. The signing of key financing, power purchase and implementation agreements with the South African government had enabled the company to move forward, said Mainstream CEO Eddie O’Connor.
“We have recently raised money on the world markets which we are delighted to commit to developments in South Africa and we look forward to having the 238MW of wind and solar plant operational in mid 2014,” said O’Connor. “The South African government has shown tremendous vision and foresight in creating this new and sustainable industry for South Africa, firmly placing it on the world map for renewable energy generation.
“Mainstream is fully committed to playing a leading role in the delivery of this vision, to bringing significant socio-economic benefits to the areas in which we’re building the projects as well as clean, free-fuel energy to South Africa.”
The projects are the 138 MW Jeffreys Bay wind farm located in the Eastern Cape; the 50 MW De Aar solar PV farm located in the Municipality of Emthanjeni in the Northern Cape; and the 50 MW Droogfontein solar PV farm located near the town of Kimberley in the Northern Cape.
Mainstream bid for licenses to build the projects in 2011 as the lead member of a consortium that includes Globeleq, Thebe Investment Corporation and local engineering companies Enzani Technologies and Usizo Engineering.
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