PowerChina Bags Largest 342-MW PV Project in South Africa

On 23 September 2024, PowerChina and SolarAfrica signed a contract to implement a 342 MW photovoltaic project in South Africa. SolarAfrica CEO David McDonald and PowerChina Deputy GM LIU Kai signed the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (#EPC) contract to build the solar farm in De Aar in Northern Cape Province.

PowerChina is also working on another 100 MW Concentrated Solar Project (#CSP) which is also in Northern Cape. But the farm at De Aar rated at 342 MW is expected to set a new record in terms of the size of PV projects in South Africa.

According to the project plan, the green power produced is destined for data centers and other commercial and industrial usage. The Project forms part of the South African Government’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Program (#REIPPPP).

Earlier, South African President revealed that his Government has managed to accumulate up to 22.5 GW of renewable energy projects in the pipeline. Over the past few years, South Africa has been experiencing has been experiencing load shedding despite having lots of coal and sunshine.