South Africa has launched a 100 MW solar power plant program. The Government of South Africa hopes to seek investment from overseas consortium and financial institution.
This solar power project is located in Upington, the capital city of North West Province, South Africa. As a key clean energy development project in South Africa, construction of the solar power plant has now confronted fund problem. It is estatimated that the total investment for building such a giant solar power plant could be 150 billion rand (about 20.6 billion U.S. dollars).
The government spokesman Themba Maseko said that Upington is an ideal place for building a solar power plant in terms of the geographical location and natural environment. The South Africa government has decided to make environmental protection and green economy the main driving force of national economic growth in the next stage. The move is expected to create job opportunities as well as to reduce carbon emissions in South Africa.
South Africa is a major electric power producer, generating two thirds of electricity of Africa and relying on coal for nearly 90 percent of its electricity generation. However in recent years, increases in electricity demand has caused electricity supply shortages in this “power-rich” country. While trying to develop nuclear power, South Africa attaches more importance to the use of solar energy and other clean, renewable energy.