PowerChina has activated a 100 MW solar tower in South Africa, supplying 480 GWh of clean energy annually. The solar tower uses molten salt storage technology, enabling 12 hours of continuous power generation — even after sunset.
Advancing Renewable Energy Goals
PowerChina has switched on a new 100 MW solar tower in South Africa, marking a significant achievement in the country’s renewable energy transition. The new Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) project is expected to supply around 480 GWh of clean energy to the national grid every year.
The 100 MW solar project is located in the Siyanda district of South Africa’s Northern Cape province. It uses molten salt storage technology, which enables 12 hours of full-load operation. This ensures the plant can continue generating electricity even after the sun goes down, thus providing much-needed reliability to the country’s power grid.
South Africa’s First Molten Salt Solar Tower
This project is a first for South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. It is the first solar thermal power plant in the region to use molten salt technology. The Redstone project — as it is called — is also the largest investment in the Northern Cape, contributing to both economic growth and social development in the area.
The technology behind this solar tower is highly advanced. The plant is equipped with 41,260 heliostats, which are mirrors that reflect sunlight onto a central receiver on the tower. The receiver then heats molten salt to temperatures of up to 565 degrees Celsius.
The molten salt is stored in insulated tanks, allowing the plant to generate power even after the sun sets. This storage capability makes the project unique and provides stable, reliable electricity, day or night.
Significant Local Impact
The construction of the solar tower has provided significant economic benefits to the local community. More than 600 local jobs have been created, and around 1,800 people were employed at the peak of construction. PowerChina — the company behind the project — emphasized the importance of these jobs in stimulating the local economy.
The project’s long-term benefits are just as significant. It will provide electricity to around 200,000 South African households. By generating 480 GWh of clean energy each year, the solar tower will help reduce South Africa’s dependence on fossil fuels. This will also lead to a reduction in carbon emissions, contributing to the country’s environmental goals.
The electricity generated by the solar project will be sold to South Africa’s national utility — Eskom. This is part of a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) under South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement (REIPP) program.
The total investment for the Redstone project is approximately $724 million. Saudi Arabian company ACWA Power holds a 49% stake in the project, making it the largest shareholder. ACWA Power is a leading developer of power generation and water desalination projects in the Middle East and Africa.
Advanced Solar Technology for South Africa’s Energy Future
The solar tower is a major milestone in South Africa’s energy transition. The country has been working to diversify its energy mix and reduce its dependence on coal, which still makes up a large portion of its energy generation. Projects like Redstone are critical to achieving this goal.
Molten salt technology is a game-changer for the renewable energy sector. The ability to store energy for long periods means solar power can now be used to provide consistent, 24-hour electricity. This is especially important in South Africa, where power shortages and load-shedding have been common in recent years.
The Redstone solar tower is part of a broader push by the South African government to increase the share of renewable energy in the country’s power mix. As more solar and wind projects come online, the country will become less reliant on coal and other fossil fuels.
The success of the solar tower is a testament to the potential of renewable energy to transform South Africa’s power sector. As the country continues to invest in clean energy, projects like Redstone will play a key role in securing a sustainable, low-carbon future.
The total investment for the Redstone project is approximately $724 million. Saudi Arabian company ACWA Power holds a 49% stake in the project, making it the largest shareholder. ACWA Power is a leading developer of power generation and water desalination projects in the Middle East and Africa.