Total to develop South Africa’s 86MWp solar power plant

France-based Total was selected as a preferred bidder for the development of a 86MWp ground-mounted solar power plant in the town of Prieska, South Africa.

The $200m project, which was awarded by the South African Department of Energy under the third round of the country’s Independent Power Producers Procurement Program, will be built using Total’s subsidiary SunPower’s Oasis power blocks system.

SunPower will also provide engineering, procurement, construction services and long-term operation and maintenance for the project.

Construction is expected to start in the second semester of 2014 with completion due in mid-2015.

Total President marketing and services Philippe Boisseau said that the company is pleased to have been selected for this solar project by the Department of Energy.

"This project proves we can deliver, with our affiliate SunPower, the best technology at a competitive price," Boisseau added.

The plant, which is expected to produce around 210GWh of electricity per year, will provide enough power to full the demands of around 45,000 South Africans.

Total will be the largest owner of the project with a 27% stake and the rest will be owned by five companies including, Calulo Renewable Energy with 25%, Mulilo Renewable Energy with 18%, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) with 15%, Futuregrowth Asset Management (Pty) Ltd with 10% and a Local Community Trust will own 5% of the project.

Around 80% of the project would be financed through non-recourse project debt from South African banks, while the remaining would be funded by Total, Calulo Renewable Energy, Mulilo Renewable Energy, the IDC, Futuregrowth Asset Management (Pty) Ltd and a Local Community Trust, based on their respective ownership interests.

SunPower president and CEO Tom Werner said that this is another great example where Total’s international footprint has provided opportunities to SunPower, following the recent announcement to build the world’s largest solar merchant plant in Chile.

"SunPower’s successful track record of building solar power plants around the world, coupled with Total’s historic presence in South Africa, will positively impact this region, including job creation," Werner added.