The Northern Cape boasts the highest number of clean power-generating facilities in the country.
BOIKANYO Solar near Douglas has commenced its commercial operations after it reached grid code compliance earlier this year.
Boikanyo is the last of six and final BW4 project to come online for shareholders.
The project is located on 168-hectares of low-value agricultural land and connects to the Siyancuma 132 kV switching station, which is close by.
The solar company said that the project took a year to construct and is already producing enough clean energy to power 62,000 homes each year.
Boikanyo Solar is part of a portfolio of six projects owned by the same shareholders under the REIPPPP Window 4.
According to the solar plant, the shareholders are African Infrastructure Investment Managers, through its IDEAS Fund, Reatile Solar Power (RF) (Pty) Ltd, Phakwe Solar (RF) (Pty) Ltd, AREP (African Rainbow Energy and Power), and Cicada Community Trust.
As reported by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s Independent Power Producer Office (IPPO), the Northern Cape Province boasts the highest number of clean power-generating facilities in the country.
“It has some 59 renewable energy projects across a range of clean energy technologies, including solar, wind, and hydro,” the solar plant highlighted.
The CEO of Boikanyo Solar, Isaac Mmushi, said that, with over 184,000 solar modules harnessing the Province’s intense sun, the 55MW PV project will supply the national grid with152 GWh/year of green energy.
“It will thereby be helping to improve the country’s security of supply,” said Mmushi.
“The surrounding communities of Douglas, Bongani, Breipaal, Campbell and Griekwastad benefited directly from 450 jobs over the year of construction,” he added.
“In addition, more employment and opportunities were created through the sub-contracting of various services.
“Such direct benefits will continue throughout the 20-year operations period.
“This solar facility is 100% South African-owned, a significant positioning for renewable energy projects in South Africa, and proof that the green power sector is an attractive option for local investors.
“Furthermore, over its 20-year operations period, the project will continue to ensure participatory inclusion of local communities in the design and implementation of socio-economic and enterprise development initiatives.
“These programmes are aimed at building economic and social resilience, as well as increasing access to the local economy.”
The chief community operations officer for Boikanyo Solar, Nomzamo Landingwe, said that funding was secured in advance to provide support for various health and education projects.
“Although economic development funding only officially commences once the PV project begins its 20-year operations period, the shareholders chose to initiate beneficiary programmes a year in advance so as to begin to provide community support as soon as possible,” said Landingwe.
