Power and automation technology group, ABB, has confirmed that it has won orders worth around US$225mn to supply two turnkey photovoltaic (PV) power plants that will be built in Limpopo in South Africa
The orders were awarded by two special purpose entities, Core Energy and Erika Energy, whose primary stakeholders include solar energy services provider, SunEdison.
SunEdison announced last week that it had closed $314mn in long-term debt and equity financing for the two utility solar projects
The two plants located at the Witkop and Soutpan Solar Parks, will be located close to the city of Polokwane, the capital of Limpopo province.
They will have a generating capacity of 33 MW and 31 MW respectively and will be among the first utility-scale PV power plants to be built in phase one of the South African government’s long-term renewable energy programme.
The power generated from these plants will be fed into the high-voltage transmission grid via a new high-voltage substation.
Together, the plants will generate 130 gigawatt hours of electricity per year, enough clean energy to power around 36,000 South African homes and displace around 130,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions a year.
The projects are scheduled to be completed in 2013.
“Our vast experience in supplying high-efficiency PV power plants, combined with our local capabilities and presence will enable us to deliver best-in-class solutions and support the country’s vision to integrate renewable energies,” said Brice Koch, head of ABB’s Power Systems division.
Each turnkey solution will include design, engineering, installation and commissioning.
ABB will also supply a range of products and technologies, including inverters, protection equipment, switchgear, dry-type transformers, controllers and the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system.
The company will also construct a substation and provide the connection to the high-voltage power grid.
