Renewable energy projects developer Enel Green Power has started operation of its 10MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant located at Upington in South Africa.
According to the company, the new plant will generate about 20 million kWh of electricity per year once fully operational.
Electricity generated by the Upington solar plant is said to be enough to power about 1,000 South African households per year.
The project, which is claimed to be the first PV plant in South Africa, is expected to reduce around 10,000t of CO2 emissions each year.
Besides, Enel Green Power intends to install over 300MW in PV capacity after being awarded the right to sign energy supply contracts with local utility Eskom in 2013 following a tender. Scope of the contracts include the installation of over 500MW, including almost 200MW of wind power.
The company said that the four PV plants including Aurora, Tom Burke, Paleisheweul and Pulida will be located in the regions of Northern Cape, Western Cape, Free State and Limpopo areas. These plants will be equipped with thin-film PV modules manufactured by 3Sun.
