R5 billion Solar Power Plant launched in the Northern Cape
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies officially launched the R5 billion Bokpoort concentrated solar plant (CSP) in Groblershoop, Northern Cape today. Minister Davies was joined by Saudi Arabia Trade and Commerce Minister Dr Tawfiq Al Rabiah and the Premier of the Northern Cape Ms Sylvia Lucas.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Davies said the Bokpoort project is the largest investment by a Saudi company, ACWA Power and needs to be celebrated as it instils confidence in government’s long-term infrastructure roll out and also strengthens relations between the two countries.
“This project has a major socio-economic development impact for the Northern Cape and South Africa. Through the bid window process the overall prices of energy have become very competitive. The design of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Program (REIPPP) is intended to leverage the investment in the energy sector to contribute to industrialisation of the local economy,” said Davies.
Minister Davies said during construction peak time more than 1200 people worked on site. 70 permanent jobs have been created to operate and maintain the plant. He said throughout the construction, the Bokpoort project has spent over R 2.4 billion on local content, Forty percent of the being sourced and manufactured locally.
“These included manufacturing and assembly of solar field collector steel structures, manufacturing, site erection, installation and testing of a relevant number of water storage reservoirs and tanks for molten salts and mechanical and electrical erection and assembly of turbine, heat exchangers, transformer, pumps, as well as piping and cables installation among others,” he said.
Davies congratulated the Chairman of ACWA Power, Mr. Mohamed Abunayyan, for the vision, foresight and confidence in investing in South Africa as an attractive investment destination.
“ACWA Power is aiming to expand its Southern African portfolio to 5000 MW by 2025. The group has identified South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique and Botswana as key growth markets in the region. The company is currently pursuing an active regional pipeline of 1000 MW, representing a combined investment value of approximately R 60 bn.
We also look forward to ACWA Power’s launch of the 100 MW Redstone Concentrated Power project, also here in the Northern Cape as well as the development of a 450 MW coal fired plant,” added Davies.
Speaking at the same event, Saudi Arabia Trade and Commerce Minister Dr Tawfiq Al Rabiah said key in the CSP project is the community of the Northern Cape that had a great role in the reception of the model of the solar plant.
He said with great investments over the last two and a half years in community improvements such as training, development and education, not only does the plant utilise local products it has also created jobs for the coming twenty years of operations of which all will be sourced from local talents.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
