Zeerust Solar Power Station Explained

Zeerust Solar Power Station
Country:South Africa
Coordinates:-25.5711°N 26.0722°W
Location:Zeerust, Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality, North West Province of South Africa
Status:O
Construction Began:1 January 2019
Commissioned:1 January 2021
Owner:Zeerust Solar Company
Solar Type:PV
Ps Site Area:179ha
Ps Units Operational:250,080
Ps Thermal Capacity:180 GWh
Ps Electrical Capacity:75MW

The Zeerust Solar Power Station is a 75MW solar power plant in South Africa. It is a grid-connected, privately owned and privately funded solar power station.[1]

Location

The power station is located near the town of Zeerust, in Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality, in the North West Province of South Africa.[1] This is approximately 68km (42miles), by road, northeast of Mahikeng, where the provincial headquarters are located. This is approximately 242km (150miles), by road, northwest of Johannesburg, the country's business capital. The geographical coordinates of Zeerust Solar Power Station are: 25°34'16.0"S, 26°04'20.0"E (Latitude:-25.571111; Longitude:26.072222).

Overview

The power station sits on 179ha of land and comprises 250,080 solar panels, capable of collectively generating 180 GWh, enough to supply 84,000 South African homes. The power is evacuated via a substation at Kameeldoorn and is sold to the national electricity utility, Eskom, under a long-term power purchase agreement.[1]

Developers

The power station was developed by a consortium, which owns the station and goes under he name: Zeerust Power Company. The consortium comprises the corporate entities listed in the table below.[1]

Zeerust Power Company Ownership! Rank !! Name of Owner !! Notes
1
2 Reatile Solar Power
3 Phakwe Solar
4 African Rainbow Energy and Power
5 Cicada Community Trust

Construction and commissioning

The power station was constructed by Cobra Energia, a company based in Madrid, Spain. Construction began in January 2019.[2] The completed power station began commercial production on 1 January 2021.[1] [3]

Other considerations

This power station was licensed under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Purchasing Programme (REIPPP). This program was designed by the Government of South Africa, with the objective of attracting "private investment in the renewable energy sector".[1] The same consortium that developed and owns this solar farm, also developed and owns Boikanyo Solar Power Station, in Douglas, in Siyancuma Local Municipality, in the Pixley ka Seme District Municipality, in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa.[4]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: South Africa: Zeerust solar power plant (75 MWp) goes into commercial operation . Afrik21.africa . 27 January 2021 . Jean Marie Takouleu . 4 February 2021 . Paris, France.
  2. Web site: Zeerust Power begins commercial operations . Engineering News South Africa . 20 January 2021 . Tasneem Bulbulia . 4 February 2021.
  3. Web site: Zeerust Solar Plant Launches Commercial Operations . 22 January 2021 . Africa Oil and Power . Charné Hundermark . 4 February 2021.
  4. Web site: Afrik21.africa . South Africa: Boikanyo solar power plant (50 MWp) starts commercial operations . 12 August 2021 . Jean Marie Takouleu . 18 August 2021 . Paris, France.