The Kathu Solar Park constructed as an EPC project by the engineering and technology group SENER and ACCIONA, was officially inaugurated in the Northern Cape Region, in South Africa. The opening ceremony was hosted by the Northern Cape's Premier, Sylvia Lucas. From SENER, they were present the Group's CEO, Jorge Unda, the Country Manager of SENER in South Africa, Siyabonga Mbanjwa, among other representatives, and, from ACCIONA, the Managing Director of ACCIONA Industrial, Ramón Jiménez, among others.
Kathu Solar Park is a Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Independent Power Producer project currently on commercial operation. Cutting-edge energy generation and storage technology is pumping 100MW into the national grid and providing 179,000 households in the Northern Cape with constant power. Thanks to this dispatchable supply, the plant will prevent the emission of six million tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere over the next 20 years.
SENER CEO, Jorge Unda, declared during the inauguration: "We are proud to have contributed to make this clean energy project a reality in South Africa. From SENER, we have contributed with our knowledge in engineering, construction and commissioning, from the experience of our engineers in about thirty solar power plants developed in different parts of the world and, thus, with the best of our technology. Our leadership position in solar thermal power installations, with world-renowned pioneer projects, is a guarantee for the efficiency and profitability of Kathu Solar Park. We have left our mark not only in this project, but also in the local community, through social projects that have benefited nearly 17,000 people."
Ramón Jiménez, Managing Director of ACCIONA Industrial, said, "The Kathu Solar Park project is another example of ACCIONA's commitment to renewable energy.
Construction of this plant has had and will have a major impact on the economy and residents of the Northern Cape region in South Africa. Kathu Solar Park provides the local community with a safe and manageable power supply, helping to offset the effects of climate change. Its construction has been a complete success thanks to the team that worked on the project, as well as the excellent relationship with the local administration, the business sector and with our client Kathu Solar Park."
Kathu Solar Park was one of the projects awarded - on December 15th, 2014 - during bid window 3.5 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) by the South African Department of Energy (DoE). The joint venture between SENER and ACCIONA -led by this last company- was appointed by the consortium Kathu Solar Park (led by ENGIE and including a group of South African investors comprising SIOC Community Development Trust, Investec Bank, Lereko Metier Sustainable Capital Fund, its co-investors FMO, the Dutch development bank and DEG, the German investment and development company and the Public Investment Corporation) to provide the engineering, procurement and construction services for the project.
