GDF Suez selects Sener and ACCIONA to develop Kathu Solar Park Complex in South Africa

Spanish engineering and construction group Sener and infrastructure and renewable energy developer ACCIONA together form the consortium chosen to develop the turnkey project of the Kathu solar thermal plant in South Africa.

This complex is led by GDF SUEZ with South African partners and was selected by the South African Department of Energy (DOE) to form part of the country’s renewable energy development program (REIPPP) in January 2015, with a forecast investment of more than €500 million.

Kathu Solar Park is a 100 MW greenfield Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) project with parabolic trough technology and equipped with a molten salt storage system that allows 4.5 hours of thermal energy storage. It is situated in the Northern Cape Province, 600 km south-west of the capital Pretoria.

The consortium, which is led by GDF SUEZ (approximately 49%) includes a group of South African investors comprising SIOC Community Development Trust, Investec Bank, Lereko Metier and Public Investment Corporation.

Kathu Solar Park was awarded preferred bidder in the third round of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement (REIPPP) led by the DOE. The preferred bidders will be invited to enter into a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Eskom first producer and supplier of electricity in South Africa.