South Africa to build world's biggest solar power station

24 February 2011

South Africa's energy infrastructure could be set for a huge improvement as plans are underway to build the world's largest solar power station.

The 5GW plant would be stationed in the Northern Cape region after an initial feasibility study was carried out, Green Futures magazine reports.

Once the construction of the project has been completed, it will supply almost one tenth of the country's energy supply, while the scheme is expected to cost $10-15 billion (£6-9 billion).

"We need to see more solar parks [like this] if the full potential of both photovoltaics and solar thermal is to be realised," said Jeremy Leggett, executive chairman of Solarcentury - the UK's most experienced solar energy company.

He added that governments across the globe are starting to see the benefits of using renewable energy.

It is hoped the park will reduce the nation's dependency on fossil fuels - 90 per cent of its electricity is currently produced by coal-fired power stations.
 

Category: Energy