In positive news for South Africa’s environment, not to mention the nation’s job-starved economy, the government have announced plans to construct a 5000 megawatt (MW) Solar Park in the Northern Cape district, which will help begin the process of weaning the country off coal-based power generation.
Ms Dipuo Peters, Minister for Energy, in presenting the completion of a successful feasibility study into the project over the weekend, said the new solar park would be a massive boost to the South African economy, creating over 3000 onsite operation and maintenance jobs once the site comes online.
“A 5000 MW Solar Park constructed over a decade which could result in the creation of approximately 12,300 average annual direct construction jobs,” Ms Peters said. “In addition to jobs, the creation of a Solar Park would present the country with a unique opportunity to become a manufacturing and technology hub for the global solar industry.”
The Energy Minister said that large scale renewable energy projects such as the planned solar park – which will contain several solar power generation plants within its area – become drivers of investment in new industries for nations.
“If South Africa moves quickly, it has an opportunity to become a key manufacturer of solar technology. For international companies, a Solar Park would indicate a serious and long term commitment to solar deployment, giving them the confidence to establish a presence and invest in the country,” Ms Dipuo said.
Actual development of the solar park land space is estimated to cost 10-15 million US dollars, but construction of the solar thermal and concentrated solar plants (CPV) facilities within the Park zone is expected run into the tens of billions USD. This will be incurred over a period of ten years and those costs will largely be incurred by the private sector.
