concentrated solar power

Khi Solar One is Africa's first concentrated solar power plant. Situated outside of Upington in the Northern Cape, the 140-hectare plant will produce 50 megawatts of power by using 4 200 concave mirrors to reflect and concentratea large area of sunlight onto a small area on a 205 metre tower.

 

Concentrated solar power is one of the fastest growing energy technologies, and Africa is leading the way. In addition to several South African solar thermal plants operating or under construction, Morocco's Noor plant, set to become the largest in Africa, begins its first phase this month.

The Solar Thermal Research Group at Stellenbosch University has completed a prototype system to help make generating solar energy more efficient and cheaper. The Helio100 system uses mirrors to focus the sun's energy on to one central point, turning heat into electricity.

Sere adds 100MW to the grid and will save nearly six million tons of greenhouse gas emissions over its 20-year lifespan. Each year, it will supply enough energy to power about 124 000 homes. Next on Eskom's renewables agenda is a concentrated solar power plant.

As the world's economic leaders gather in Switzerland for the annual World Economic Forum, Team South Africa prepares to tell a story of innovation and skills development focused on boosting employment and pushing the country ahead of the pack in the emerging economies.

It looks like something from a sci-fi film, with its massive tower and thousands of wall-like solar mirrors set in an arid and deserted landscape. But Khi Solar One, Africa's first concentrated solar power project, is a very real example of the future of renewable energy.

Plans for a gas-fired power plant to supply electricity to South Africa and Mozambique for two years have been unveiled by UK-based power specialist Aggreko and South African investment company Shanduka.

South Africa has released its first list of preferred independent power producers, accepting 28 bids from companies to generate over 1 400 megawatts of electricity from solar and wind sources.

South Africa is fast becoming a preferred renewable energy investment destination for both private and public sector investors – good news for the country's growing electricity demands, emerging clean energy sector and the economy.
• Nedbank branch runs on wind power

South African state electricity company Eskom has secured a €100-million credit facility from French development finance group Agence Française de Developpement to finance the Sere Wind Project in the Western Cape.