USTD has awarded a feasibility study grant to Solafrica to support the development of a 100 megawatt (MW) concentrated solar power (CSP) plant in South Africa’s Northern Cape province.
The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTD) has awarded a feasibility study grant to Solafrica Photovoltaic Energy (Solafrica) to support the development of a 100 megawatt (MW) concentrated solar power (CSP) plant in South Africa’s Northern Cape province. The U.S.-Africa Clean Energy Finance (US-ACEF) Initiative is funding the study.
The feasibility study will establish the cost effectiveness and profitability of bidding, constructing, and operating a CSP plant. It will also identify the most cost effective and appropriate technology to implement the application. According to the USTD, “The study will provide Solafrica with the necessary development assets to attract financial support for implementing and operating a CSP plant with thermal energy storage capacity.”
Solafrica has announced its intention to submit a bid for the CSP plant in the upcoming rounds of South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program, which expects to add 17,800 MW of renewable energy generation for South Africa by 2030.
Director Leocadia I. Zak says, “USTDA is pleased to work with our partners from Solafrica to support South Africa’s renewable energy goals. This project presents a valuable opportunity to connect Solafrica with U.S. technologies and services that can meet energy needs in the Northern Cape.”
Director Nasi Rwigema adds: “We are fortunate and honoured to have a partner in USTDA, their support will go a long way towards developing an innovative and bankable CSP plant in South Africa. Our project will further be strengthened by the considerable knowledge and technology base within the U.S.”
US-ACEF is a collaborative financing mechanism aligning U.S. government resources from the USTDA, the Department of State and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation to promote private sector investment to develop Africa’s clean energy infrastructure.
