ACWA Power SolAfrica Bokpoort CSP Project named Best Renewable Energy Project of the Year at the South African National Energy Association (SANEA) Awards

According to the company’s Chief Executive Officer and President, Paddy Padmanathan, the award is a recognition of ACWA Power’s commitment to the country’s REIPPP initiative bringing to the sector a long-term investor, owner and operator mind-set focused on reliably delivering electricity at the lowest possible cost. “Bokpoort CSP is our first project in South Africa and we are proud to receive a recognition of this magnitude.”

The R 5 billion project, developed as part of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Programme of the Department of Energy, is the first in Africa consisting of 9.3 hours of thermal storage via molten salt tanks, which allows the plant to feed solar energy into the grid round-the-clock.

During its first month of commercial operation itself, in March 2016, Bokpoort CSP demonstrated this capability when it was called to produce electricity for a continuous period of 161 hours which is equivalent to over six days – a record breaking performance in Africa. “We remain committed to making more investments in the power sector in South Africa through the development of several more new projects and will continue to challenge cost through rigor and innovation”  Padmanathan said.

Commenting about South Africa’s plans for gas-to-power generation, COO for renewables and Southern Africa region Managing Director, Chris Ehlers said ACWA Power is exploring this opportunity based on its significant global experience of investing in and operating natural gas fired combined cycle power plants. “We want to be a reliable partner and long term investor in the country by bringing innovative and cost efficient energy solutions” enthused Ehlers.