Abengoa, provider of technological solutions to energy and environment sectors, has announced that it has begun construction of two concentrated solar power (CSP) plants in South Africa
The company will construct a 50MW solar power tower, Khi Solar One, and a 100MW parabolic trough plant, KaXu Solar One, in South Africa.
The CSP plants were two of the 28 renewable energy projects announced in late 2011 by the South Africa Department of Energy (DOE). The DOE has intentions to bring 17,800MW of renewable energy online by 2030.
Abengoa informed that it will be partnering with the state-owned Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to create South Africa’s clean energy future by allowing the country to reduce its dependence on fossil fuel for power generation, specifically coal.
The company added that both plants have signed long-term power purchase agreements with Eskom, South Africa’s power utility, and closed project finance agreements with a group of South African and international financial institutions.
An Abengoa statement added, “Khi Solar One and KaXu Solar One will be located in the Northern Cape Province near Upington and Pofadder, respectively and use advanced technology to provide South Africa with clean energy while creating local jobs and industry in the region.
“In addition to reducing the country’s carbon dioxide emissions by about 498,000 tonnes each year, the construction of Khi Solar One and KaXu will roughly create 1,400 jobs on average per annum, peaking near 2,000, and about 70 permanent operation jobs.
"Numerous direct and indirect jobs will also be created to fulfill the needs required by the plant and its construction.”
