Sep 30 2010
A planned 5,000 MW solar energy park in South Africa is slated to create approximately 12,300 jobs. Upon completion, this would become the largest solar energy park in the world.
This solar project is slated to be built in Upington, South Africa’s Northern Cape province. Since there will be intense solar radiation throughout the year, this site represents an ideal place for establishing a solar park.
South Africa has already completed a pre-feasibility study and could be starting talks with investors in early 2011. The nation is currently facing a power shortage since the government had halted the expansion plans of Eskom Holdings Ltd., the state-owned producer of electricity. The initial estimates go on to indicate that the cost of this solar park could be $21.1 billion (150 billion rand).
Eskom is currently planning another 100 MW project for producing solar thermal energy in Upington. This plant is anticipated to reach completion by 2014 while the World Bank has already funded this project. Presently, the largest of the solar power plants under operation is the 64 MW solar thermal energy facility located in Nevada, USA.
Source: http://www.eskom.co.za/