Energy

Northern Cape to welcome “largest solar power plant” in SA

Luis Monzon

3rd April 2024

The largest solar power plant of its kind is set to be built in the Mooi Plaats region in the Northern Cape.
It will be a 283MW solar plant and is set to start producing energy within the next 22 months.
The project is a collaboration between international energy groups and has been financed by local financial institutions.

While loadshedding has eased in the last week, its return is inevitable, which is why any news of more renewable energy sources springing up in South Africa is good news. The latest of which is a 283MW solar power plant project set to be built in the Northern Cape.

Those involved with the project say it will be the largest of its kind in South Africa.

The project is being led by international solar energy storage firm Trina Solar. It will be a 283MW ground photovoltaic power plant constructed in the Mooi Plaats region of the country’s most sparse territory, which also happens to be South Africa’s most arid province.

*This place will eventually be a solar power plant.*

Trina Solar is building the plant in collaboration with China Energy International Group and China Gezhouba Group. The project is financed by EDF Renewables, a South African subsidiary of a French energies corporation, in conjunction with local financial institutes (Trina Solar has not indicated which).

Pictured in the above image are the heads of both companies during the signing ceremony.

Over 410 000 solar panels will be raised at the site in Mooi Plaats. These are specifically the NEG21C.20 Vertex N of solar panel, which is according to Trina Solar, “excel in power, efficiency, reliability, and levelized cost of energy.” Overall, the project will take 22 months to complete.

After completion, solar power will be transferred to the Koruson substation which is 12 km away.

*The purple area is the size of the project location in context with the surrounding area.*

“We are proud to partner with China Energy International Group and China Gezhouba Group to bring this groundbreaking project to fruition,” said Bao Yang, President of Global Sales & Marketing at Trina Solar.

“With a total capacity of 283MW, the Mooi Plaats PV Power Plant project is considered the largest single PV power plant project in South Africa and is set to make a substantial impact on the region’s energy landscape.”

“The Launch of 283MW Mooi Plaats PV Power Plant project represents a major milestone in South Africa’s new energy market, Trina Solar is honoured to contribute its expertise and technology to this transformative project,” enthused Trina Solar in a press release sent to Hypertext.