A contract to construct a 120 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) project in South Africa was recently awarded to AMEA Power, a Dubai-based renewable energy developer, owner, and operator.
Under a 20-year power purchase agreement, the Doornhoek PV project would sell electricity to the government-owned Eskom.
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The solar project, which is close to Klerksdorp in the northwest province, will supply energy to over 25,000 households. It will produce more than 325 GWh per year. 290,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year are expected to be offset by the entire project.
By mid-2023, the Doornhoek PV Project’s construction will begin. More than 45% of the materials and resources used in its construction will be locally sourced.
The amount of investment put into the establishment of the 120 MW solar photovoltaic project
AMEA Power, the project’s majority shareholder, is pumping a $120 million investment into the project. It has partnered up with an African women-owned company consortium led by Ziyanda Energy and Dzimuzwo Consulting. With its partners, the developer will establish a community trust that will control a share of the project. It will also support local economic development and own a share of the trust.
As AMEA Power’s first project in South Africa, it was awarded in a competitive process against other major renewable energy providers. This is according to Hussain Al Nowais, chairman of AMEA Power.
The country will experience a significant transition in how it produces electricity over the next decade. The network transitioning away from energy sources like coal and toward cleaner ones like wind and solar. In order to address the country’s energy shortage and long-term supply of clean, affordable energy, AMEA Power aims to add many more clean energy projects to the grid.
To reduce carbon emissions and guarantee energy stability across its electricity network, South Africa plans to boost the share of renewable energy in its energy mix from 11% to 41% by 2030. In addition, the country seeks to decommission 8 GW to 12 GW of coal-fired power plants over the next ten years.
AMEA Power recently secured several sites in South Africa. The sites are said to be suitable for the development of a further 1 GW of renewable energy projects. It is also exploring opportunities to offer access to renewable energy to several commercial and industrial entities around South Africa.
The clean energy pipeline of AMEA Power is expanding. The pipeline covers 16 countries and includes investments in wind, solar, energy storage, and green hydrogen.
