The Linde Project, located in the Northern Cape region, is the second utility scale solar PV plant Scatec Solar has completed under the South African Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme and represents a milestone that confirms the company’s position as an independent power producer.
“I am very pleased with my team and partners who have been able to realize this complex project on time and on budget” said Raymond Carlsen, CEO of Scatec Solar. “We have built on the experience gained from our Kalkbult project, and have broadened this with our first installation of a solar tracker system which will increase the output from the plant considerably. Scatec Solar has for more than four years been actively developing project opportunities in South Africa, and we look forward to realize more projects for the benefit of the regions and the local communities in which we operate.”
The project has been developed by the company through its joint-venture Scatec Solar SA, as was the case with the 75MW Kalkbult plant. The Linded project is located near Hanover in the Northern Cape, a region that boasts some of the best conditions for solar power anywhere in the world. The annual production of electricity by the plant is estimated to be around 94 million kWh per year, enough power to supply 20,000 South African households. The electricity will be fed into the local grid and sold through a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement with the national utility company, Eskom.
The plant will also displace around 80,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year and has been financed through Standard Bank. A consortium consisting of Scatec Solar, Standard Bank, Old Mutual Life Assurance Company, Norfund and Simacel have provided equity.
The project has already provided a significant number of local jobs in the construction stage. A portion of the revenue from the plant, as well as project dividends, will be earmarked for Socio Economic Development initiatives in the area around the site with the prime focus being skills development, educational and health initiatives.
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