Zeerust Solar Power Station

Zeerust Solar Power Station
Map
CountrySouth Africa
LocationZeerust, Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality, North West Province of South Africa
Coordinates25°34′16″S 26°04′20″E / 25.57111°S 26.07222°E / -25.57111; 26.07222
StatusOperational
Construction began1 January 2019
Commission date1 January 2021
OwnerZeerust Solar Company
Solar farm
TypeFlat-panel PV
Site area179 hectares (440 acres)
Thermal capacity180 GWh
Power generation
Units operational250,080
Nameplate capacity75 MW (101,000 hp)
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The Zeerust Solar Power Station is a 75 MW (101,000 hp) solar power plant in South Africa. It is a grid-connected, privately owned and privately funded solar power station.[1]

Location

The power station is located near the town of Zeerust, in Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality, in the North West Province of South Africa.[1] This is approximately 68 kilometres (42 mi), by road, northeast of Mahikeng, where the provincial headquarters are located.[2] This is approximately 242 kilometres (150 mi), by road, northwest of Johannesburg, the country's business capital.[3] The geographical coordinates of Zeerust Solar Power Station are: 25°34'16.0"S, 26°04'20.0"E (Latitude:-25.571111; Longitude:26.072222).[4]

Overview

The power station sits on 179 hectares (440 acres) of land and comprises 250,080 solar panels, capable of collectively generating 180 GWh, enough to supply 84,000 South African homes. The power is evacuated via a substation at Kameeldoorn and is sold to the national electricity utility, Eskom, under a long-term power purchase agreement.[1]

Developers

The power station was developed by a consortium, which owns the station and goes under he name: Zeerust Power Company. The consortium comprises the corporate entities listed in the table below.[1]

Zeerust Power Company Ownership
Rank Name of Owner Notes
1 African Infrastructure Investment Managers
2 Reatile Solar Power
3 Phakwe Solar
4 African Rainbow Energy and Power
5 Cicada Community Trust

Construction and commissioning

The power station was constructed by Cobra Energia, a company based in Madrid, Spain. Construction began in January 2019.[5] The completed power station began commercial production on 1 January 2021.[1][6]

Other considerations

This power station was licensed under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Purchasing Programme (REIPPP). This program was designed by the Government of South Africa, with the objective of attracting "private investment in the renewable energy sector".[1] The same consortium that developed and owns this solar farm, also developed and owns Boikanyo Solar Power Station, in Douglas, in Siyancuma Local Municipality, in the Pixley ka Seme District Municipality, in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Jean Marie Takouleu (27 January 2021). "South Africa: Zeerust solar power plant (75 MWp) goes into commercial operation". Paris, France: Afrik21.africa. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  2. ^ "Travel Distance Between Mahikeng And Zeerust, With Map" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  3. ^ "Road Distance Between Johannesburg And Zeerust" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  4. ^ "Location of Zeerust Solar Power Station" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  5. ^ Tasneem Bulbulia (20 January 2021). "Zeerust Power begins commercial operations". Engineering News South Africa. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  6. ^ Charné Hundermark (22 January 2021). "Zeerust Solar Plant Launches Commercial Operations". Africa Oil and Power. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  7. ^ Jean Marie Takouleu (12 August 2021). "South Africa: Boikanyo solar power plant (50 MWp) starts commercial operations". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 18 August 2021.