AMEA Power, a fast-growing renewable energy company, has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Eskom, the South African utility company, for the 120MW Doornhoek Solar Photovoltaic Project, located near the town of Klerksdorp in the North West Province
The 120MW project will generate more than 325GWh of clean energy per year to power an estimated 97,000 households and contribute to the country’s wider goal of renewable energy accounting for 22% of the energy mix by 2030.
The PPA was signed by Gwede Mantashe, Minister of Mineral resources and Energy of South Africa; Segomoco Scheppers, Eskom group executive for transmission; and Hussain Al Nowais, chairman of AMEA Power.
AMEA Power is the majority shareholder in the US$120mn project and has also partnered with Ziyande Energy and Dzimuzwo Consulting to deliver it. As a result, Sibongile Mduli, CEO of Ziyanda Energy and Lusani Madali, managing director of Dzimuzwo Energy, were also in attendance of the signing ceremony, alongside His Excellency, Mahash Saeed Alhameli, the UAE Ambassador to South Africa. The project will also receive debt funding from Standard Bank South Africa, while the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) will provide equity funding for the local partners.
A growing presence in Africa
“As part of South Africa's long-term strategy to reduce carbon emissions and enhance energy stability, the Doornhoek Solar Project will play a pivotal role in the transition towards sustainable energy solutions,” commented Al Nowais. “We are proud to be one of the first preferred bidders from Bid Window 6 to achieve this milestone. This project exemplifies AMEA Power’s commitment to driving positive environmental impact and fostering socio-economic development.”
AMEA Power has been consistently expanding its presence on the continent and this follows a number of associated announcements including it reaching financial close on a 120MW solar plant in Tunisia, and the agreement to develop a 25MW solar project in Djibouti.
