South Africa is set to invest heavily in a new solar park that could become the largest of its kind in the world.
The potential 5-gigawatt solar park development in the Northern Cape for South Africa’s Department of Energy is being considered by the South African government with the assistance of Fluor – a specialist company for engineering, procurement, construction, maintenance and operations of complex power-generation facilities.
“We are closely collaborating with South Africa’s Department of Energy and the Clinton Climate Initiative on this potential flagship solar power development,” said Dave Dunning, president of Fluor’s Power Group. “Our company has a strong track record of achievement in South Africa.”
Largest in the world
According to Fluor, the proposed 5-gigawatt solar park will be one of the largest solar parks in the world upon completion.
The park development will lead to a Solar Park Authority (SPA) as a unit within the state-owned Central Energy Fund (CEF) to facilitate the advancement of the project.
The solar park could host proven and emerging solar technologies including photovoltaic, concentrated photovoltaic plants and concentrating solar power technologies, such as power tower and parabolic trough alternatives.
When fully developed, the 5-gigawatt solar park could realise a total investment of more than US$20bn (around €14bn), according to the Department of Energy.
