Kathu Solar Park is a concentrated solar power (CSP) thermal energy power plant, located near Kathu in the Northern Cape province of South Africa.[1]

Kathu Solar Park
Map
CountrySouth Africa
LocationKathu, John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality
Coordinates27°36′49″S 23°02′33″E / 27.6135°S 23.0426°E / -27.6135; 23.0426
StatusOperational
Construction beganMay 2016
Commission date30 January 2019
Solar farm
TypeCSP
CSP technologyParabolic Reflectors
Site area800 hectares (1,977 acres)
Power generation
Nameplate capacity100 MW
Capacity factor44.5%
Annual net output390 GWh (expected)
Storage capacity450 MW·he
External links
Websitekathu solar park

It has a capacity of 100.0 megawatts (MW), and full-load molten storage capacity of 4.5 hours. It covers an area of approximately 800 hectares (1,977 acres).

The project shareholders, led by Engie include the Public Investment Corporation, SIOC Community Development Trust, Development Bank of Southern Africa, Investec, Lereko Metier and the Kathu Trust. The plant was constructed by the consortium formed by Acciona and SENER, acting as Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) provider.[2]

The plant began commercial operations in January 2019,[3] and currently supplies power for an estimated 179,000 households in South Africa.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Construction starts on 100 MW Kathu Solar Park". engineeringnews.co.za. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  2. ^ "Kathu Solar Park". kathusolarpark.co.za. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  3. ^ "ENGIE starts operations of Kathu". engie.com. Retrieved 26 January 2022.