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CONSTRUCTION WORLD
FEBRUARY
2015
ENVIRONMENT
The PV power plant has a total gener-
ation capacity of 86 MW. Financial
close was achieved on 11 December
2014. The commencement of construction
is scheduled for the first quarter of 2015.
For the juwi group, the utility-scale project in
the Northern Cape is the company’s largest
single solar EPC-project in the world. juwi is
also providing operation and maintenance
services for the plant.
“We are proud to realise this milestone
project and delighted to be playing a key role
in adding substantial amounts of clean energy
to the South African electricity grid,” says Greg
Austin, juwi South Africa managing director.
Over the past years, juwi Renewable Energies
has realised four utility-scale PV projects in
South Africa and has built up a substantial
reputation as a leading specialist for green
energies in the country.
The Prieska project was selected by the
Department of Energy of South Africa under
the third bidding window of the Renew-
able Energy Independent Power Procure-
ment Programme (REIPPP) in October 2013.
“We are also very pleased that our efforts in
designing the economic development aspects
of the project brought the desired outcome”,
Austin continues.
Of all six projects in bidding round three,
the Mulilo Sonnedix Prieska PV solar park had
the highest economic development score. juwi
will also provide Operations and Maintenance
services for the plant.
Commentingontheclosing,FranckConstant,
president of Sonnedix said:“This first closing in
South Africa is a considerable milestone for
our company. It confirms the growth strategy
and added value of Sonnedix in new markets
where clean renewable electricity is in high
demand and cost effective compared to
conventional power.”
Olivier Renon, Sonnedix South Africa
country manager, adds: “We are happy to be
working with juwi, one of the world’s most
experienced EPC providers in the field of
renewable energies to build our solar park.
We feel confident that our project construction
is in very good hands.”
HUGE PRIESKA SOLAR PROJECT
Greg Austin, juwi South Africa
managing director.
juwi Renewable Energies, the South African subsidiary of the
international juwi group, is to build the Mulilo Sonnedix Prieska PV
solar park in the Northern Cape Province for Independent Power
Producer (IPP) Sonnedix.
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The announcement was made at the start of the
World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, where
First Solar was showcasing a comprehensive range
of solar energy solutions.
Founded in 1999, First Solar made its first commercial
shipment in 2002 and, since then, its advanced thin film
modules have been used in a wide range of applications,
from kilowatt-scale mini-grid and rooftop applications,
to multi-megawatt utility scale solar energy plants. With
enough modules installed worldwide to circle the planet
three-and-a-half times, First Solar’s 10 GW of installed
capacity produces an estimated 14 000 gigawatt hours
(GWh) a year. This is equivalent to the annual energy
consumption of the Kingdom of Bahrain or the city of
Washington DC. It is also sufficient to power five million
average households and displaces the need for as many as 20 average
coal-powered plants.
“This is much more than just a celebration of First Solar’s track
record, and the trust that our customers have placed in our technology,”
said James Hughes, chief executive officer, First Solar, Inc. “Thanks
to our commitment to continuous improvement, we have been able
to contribute towards the global transition to renewables by offering
our customers solutions to their, very specific, energy challenges.”
Significantly, with the smallest carbon footprint of all solar technologies,
First Solar’s installed capacity displaces an estimated seven million metric
tons of carbon dioxide per year, or the equivalent of planting 180 million
trees. Additionally, with the lowest water use on a lifecycle basis, the use
of First Solar’s advanced thin film modules helps displace an estimated
18 billion litres of water per year; sufficient to fill 7 000 Olympic-sized
swimming pools.
SOLAR MILESTONE
First Solar announced recently that
it has achieved 10 gigawatts (GW) of
photovoltaic (PV) solar capacity installed
globally, making it the first thin film PV
module manufacturer in the world to
achieve this milestone.
About juwi Renewable
Energies
juwi Renewable Energies is a full-ser-
vice partner in all aspects of project
development. It plans, constructs, and
operates renewable energy power
plants with a particular focus on the
wind and solar energy sector in South
Africa. The company’s vision is that
of 100% clean energy, security of
supply, and independence from energy
imports. Its network of international
investors and a proven track-record
across the globe are some of the keys
to its success.
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