Page 18 - Energize November 2021

NEWS

Solar wheeling project launches a new era constructing and operating Solar PV
projects since the first round of REIPPP,
for SA electricity provision the government’s renewable energy
procurement programme. SOLA Group
is 100% South African owned, including
first-of-its-kind 10 MW solar plant in the Northern Cape has reached commercial a 40% shareholding by black investor
operation three months ahead of schedule, providing clean energy to Amazon Web African Rainbow Energy and Power.
Se
A rvices via the Eskom grid in a new model of private energy procurement called “It’s immensely important that while
energy wheeling. The project, developed by the SOLA Group, will provide over 28 million we’re rebuilding energy generation in
kWh of clean electricity annually. South Africa that we’re also developing
“This is the first operational large-scale solar PV wheeling project in South Africa, and South African companies and skills,”
the model is futuristic: it uses Eskom’s grid to connect private buyers and sellers together, adds Wills. “SOLA has always been
making the way for more choice and competition. It’s the first step forward in creating grid committed to transforming South Africa
independence where private buyers and sellers of energy can trade with each other,” says through clean energy, and this project
Dom Wills, CEO of the SOLA Group. marks a step change in scale.”
Wheeling is a financial transaction that allows power to be produced in one location and During construction, the plant
billed to an energy user in another region. The plant will provide a low-carbon alternative created 167 jobs, 63% of them from
to coal-fired power without needing to be geographically located at the site of use. This the local surrounding area, and it will
model could also help South Africa significantly in sticking to its carbon emission reductions sustain permanent jobs for its lifetime
targets, which are at the forefront of discussion ahead of the COP26 climate change in in electrical maintenance, cleaning
Glasgow next week. and security. Wooden waste generated
The launch of the solar plant symbolises the positive stance taken recently by the during construction, including pallets
Department of Minerals and Energy, Nersa and Eskom towards renewable energy and electrical cable drums, were
generation, which has great potential to solve South Africa’s energy crisis and reduce donated to local furniture businesses
electricity costs. Power generated from wheeling projects will increase the amount of IPPs and special skills schools, in order to
and relieve the sole electricity provision burden on Eskom. further bolster the SMME contributions
of the project.
Local economic development
In addition to lowering their carbon impact, Amazon Web Services’ efforts to procure An engineering triumph
renewable power also show their commitment to creating economic impact in South Africa. Technologically, the plant represents the
The project is more than 63% black owned, with investor Mahlako a Phahla Investments cutting-edge in renewable energy design.
holding stakes in the project. The single axis tracking plant consists
“This is a significant positioning for our Fund, which is black-women owned and operated, of over 24 000 bifacial solar modules
showcasing our commitment to growing our portfolio to bring about desired returns for our covering an area of 20 ha in the Northern
investors, and our confidence in the renewable energy space as a viable and attractive sector Cape, where the solar resource is one of
for local investors,” said Makole Mupita, Director at Mahlako a Phahla Investments. the best in the world.
The SOLA Group is a fully South African-owned company which has been developing, The solar PV facility tracks the sun
throughout the day and absorbs irradiance
from both the sky and reflected light from
the ground, making it more efficient. The
plant design will see over 25 000 t CO 2
emissions being avoided annually - the
equivalent of taking 5400 cars off of the
road for a year.
“The successful launch of this project
not only demonstrates the viability of a
modernised grid with renewable energy
at its core,” concludes Wills, “it shows the
willingness of the government and the
private sector to work together on solving
South Africa’s electricity crisis.”

Contact Kate Pallett, SOLA Group,
kate@solagroup.co.za,
www.solagroup.co.za

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