Kathu Solar Park is in the Northern Cape Province and is being developed by a consortium led by Engie and comprising Sener and Acciona.

 

Construction has begun following the signing of a 20-year power purchase agreement between Engie and South Africa’s state-owned power utility Eskom.

 

The plant is expected to be operational in the second half of 2018 and will feature a molten salt storage system that allows 4.5 hours of energy storage to extend the operational capacity of the plant after sunset.

 

Kathu marks the first concentrated solar power project for Engie and Bruno Bensasson, chief executive of the company’s Africa Business Unit, said that the solar park “supports South Africa’s strategy of increasing the contribution of renewable power and also underlines our commitment to be a key partner in achieving sustainable energy generation in Africa”.

 

Source : www.powerengineeringint.com