Question no: 1127
Mr PD Dexter (Congress of the People) to ask the Minister of Energy:
(1) Whether her department studied the technology behind the new P520 solar power plant located at the Solucar Platform, near Seville in Spain (details furnished); if not, why not; if so,
(2) Whether she will develop a multi-dimensional solar power plant; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. Not. Eskom has done substantial research work on concentrated solar power for the proposed 100 MW plant in the Northern Cape. The technology studied for the concentrated solar power is based on a molten salt receiver system and not the new PS2O. The reason for this technology choice that they have made is that it uses an indirect receiver that has the ability to generate power even at night.
The department has also done baseline studies for various renewable energy technologies, but excluding the new PS2O. We will certainly look into this technology as well.
2. The department does not develop power plants directly rather than developing legislation and policies that enable the private and public sectors (independent power producers, Eskom) to implement the power projects. The tariff incentives provided under the renewable energy feed-in tariff scheme are intended to entice developers to produce solar energy, amongst other technologies, through which ever technology that they deem fit.
Issued by: Department of Energy
12 October 2009
