The 86 MW Mulilo-Sonnedix-Prieska photovoltaic (PV) solar plant project, situated 50 km south-west of Prieska in the Northern Cape, is on schedule, within budget and nearing completion, according to independent power producer Sonnedix, which has undertaken the project with minority partner, local renewable energy developer Mulilo.

Sonnedix country manager Farid Moucer noted in a statement on Wednesday that the 125 ha solar PV project, valued at R1.3-billion, was set to connect to the grid in the third quarter of this year and was expected to power 86 000 homes.

The project was being developed under the renewable energy independent power producers procurement programme and would be run under the auspices of the Department of Energy. “The project . . . has an expected 20-year life span, which we will operate with a local team,” noted Moucer.

He added that the project had created about 850 jobs, with over 500 of these jobs designated to locals living in the region. 

Meanwhile, the South African subsidiary of the international juwi group, juwi Renewable Energies, was building the solar park for Sonnedix. When complete, the site would host 275 000 PV modules, connected by 990 km of cable. 

Juwi MD Greg Austin noted that, as the engineering, procurement and construction contractor on the project, juwi would do the design and the engineering of the plant, procuring all of the materials and services and putting it together on site. “We have integrated a lot of services and a lot of functionality to deliver a project that performs at a guaranteed level for the investor,” said Austin.

He added that the renewable energy industry had made a considerable impact on the Northern Cape in terms of job creation and opportunities for South African suppliers.

“It is important for us to use as many South African suppliers as possible. Most of our large equipment, including solar modules, mounting structures, and the invertor station, are all procured through a local South African entity. Some of the components are imported as they are not manufactured in South Africa, but our full supply base for this project is South African,” said Austin.