SENER AND ACCIONA
Concentrated Solar Power Kathu solar thermal plant has successfully accomplished connection to the national grid

The engineering and technology group SENER and ACCIONA Industrial have achieved the connection of the 100 Mw Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plant to 132kV ESKOM Distribution line on 23 February 2018. Main and auxiliary transformers have been energized which represents a relevant milestone for power plant commissioning activities.

The Kathu Solar Park CSP Plant, which will supply clean energy to 179,000 homes (estimation of the South African Department of Energy DOE), is equipped with a molten salt storage system that allows 4.5 hours of thermal energy storage to extend the operational capacity of the plant after sunset and uses SENERtrough®-2 collectors, a parabolic trough technology, specifically designed and patented by SENER, aimed at improving efficiency of the plant.

Siyabonga Mbanjwa, SENER Regional Managing Director in Southern Africa, commented: "With this key milestone for the Kathu project, we reassure our commitment to tackling the South Africa's need for a reliable and sustained energy supply and the improvement of the grid stability, and therefore, we have focused on deploying our patented Concentrated Solar Power to support clean energy generation."

Roberto Felipe, Chief Operating Officer of ACCIONA Industrial, said: "This project milestone has only been achieved in time and with high quality standards thanks to the Joint Venture's ability to develop this project in the South African market. We have focused on working with local entities and communities in the region, which is why we are executing Concentrated Solar Power Kathu with excellence."

Kathu Solar Park is one of the awarded projects in the third round of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPPP) led by the South African Department of Energy (DOE).

The joint venture between SENER and ACCIONA Industrial was appointed by the ENGIE led consortium to provide engineering, procurement and construction services for the project. Construction started on site in May 2016 and is due for completion in late 2018. Approximately 1,200 jobs are being created during the construction phase. It is estimated that the Kathu Solar Park will save six million tonnes of CO2 over 20 years and will further promote local economic development through the KSP trust and the Kelebogile Trust, which has invested significantly in the local community thus far thereby making a meaningful contribution to the community of the John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality situated in the Northern Cape.

About SENER

SENER is a private engineering and technology business group founded in 1956. Its aim is to offer its clients the most advanced technological solutions and to achieve international recognition based on its independence and commitment to innovation and quality. SENER has almost 2,500 professionals across its centers in Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, South Korea, Chile, China, Colombia, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, the United States, Morocco, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, the United Kingdom and South Africa. The group's operating revenue exceeded 910 million euros (2016 data).  www.engineeringandconstruction.sener

SENER brings together its own Engineering and Construction activities with industrial holdings in companies working in the field of Aeronautics and Energy & Environment. In the field of Engineering and Construction, SENER has become a leading company worldwide in the fields of Aerospace; Infrastructure and Transport; Renewables, Power, Oil & Gas; and Marine.
SENER has participated as a 50% partner in all the CSP plants already in operation, and is a technology leader worldwide in the CSP sector, both in terms of technology and number of plants in progress. SENER has been working in South Africa since 2013, and has taken part in three turnkey construction consortium for the Bokpoort, Kathu and Ilanga-1 solar thermal power plants, becoming part of South Africa's 2010 Integrated Resource Program (IRP) 2010 - 2030.

About ACCIONA
ACCIONA Industrial specialises in industrial EPC and turnkey projects with a high technology content for thermal power generation, photovoltaic and hydroelectric generation. ACCIONA Industrial is committed to innovation and using the most advanced techniques, with major projects in development and under construction in South Africa, Australia, UAE,Chile and Mexico among others.

It belongs to the ACCIONA Group, a leader in sustainable solutions for infrastructures and renewable energy projects worldwide. Its range of services covers the entire value chain of design, construction, operation and maintenance. The company earned revenues of 5,977 million euros in 2016, has a presence in more than 40 countries and carries out its activities within a commitment to the economic and social development of the communities it operates in. ACCIONA's aim is to lead the transition to a low-carbon economy, and does this by applying criteria of quality and innovation processes to all its projects with a view to optimizing the efficient use of resources and caring for the environment. www.acciona.com