Scatec Solar connects 75MW solar PV plant to South African grid

Solar energy provider Scatec Solar has connected its 75MW solar PV plant, Kalkbult, in the Northern Cape region connected to the regional grid, three months ahead of schedule.

The Kalkbult project was awarded to Scatec Solar under the first round of the South African Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPPP). The company claims that the plant is South Africa’s first renewable IPP project.

The project involved installation of over 312 000 solar panels mounted on 156 km of substructure, inverters, transformers and a HV sub-station. The work on the project started immediately after the financial close in November 2012.

The plant has a capacity to produce 135 million kWh of power, which is enough to cover the electricity demand of 33,000 South African households, and represents CO2 abatements of almost 115 000 tons per annum. The power from the grid-connected PV plant will be sold through a 20-year power purchase agreement with Eskom, the national utility company.

Scatec Solar CEO Raymond Carlsen, said, "I am very proud of our staff and contractors who have been able to complete this substantial project three months ahead of schedule, demonstrating how swiftly utility-scale solar energy plants could be built and put in operation.

"South African authorities are committed to implementing an ambitious renewable energy program, and we find great satisfaction in being able to contribute to its success through our own projects which we have actively been developing in South Africa over the last four years," Carlsen added.

The project received financed through South African commercial bank, Standard Bank. The consortium providing the equity finance consists of Scatec Solar as the largest owner, Norfund, Simacel, Stanlib/Standard Bank, and Old Mutual Life Assurance Company.

In total, Scatec Solar has secured three projects under the REIPPP with total capacity of 190MW. The construction work of the next two projects, located in the Northern and Eastern Cape, has started and are expected to be completed by mid-2014.