The Mogalakwena Solar Power Station is a planned 100 MW (130,000 hp) solar power plant in South Africa. The solar farm is under development by a consortium comprising Pele Green Energy, a South African independent power producer (IPP) and EDF Renewables, a subsidiary of the French energy multinational Électricité de France (EDF). The energy generated here will be used to supply the Mogalakwena platinum mine of Anglo American Platinum, in Limpopo Province.[1][2]
| Mogalakwena Solar Power Station | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Location | Mokopane, Mogalakwena Municipality, Waterberg District, Limpopo Province, South Africa |
| Coordinates | 23°58′32″S 28°56′24″E / 23.97556°S 28.94000°E |
| Status | Proposed |
| Construction began | Q4 2022 Expected |
| Commission date | Q4 2023 Expected |
| Solar farm | |
| Type | Flat-panel PV |
| Thermal capacity | 240 GWh |
| Power generation | |
| Nameplate capacity | 100 MW (130,000 hp) |
Location
editThe power station will be located in the town of Mokopane, in Mogalakwena Municipality, in Waterberg District, in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The solar farm will sit on the campus of "Mogalakwena platinum mining complex", owned by Anglo American Platinum, the largest producer of platinum in the world.[3]
The Mogalakwena mine is located about 30 kilometres (19 mi), north of Mokopane, the nearest town.[4] This is approximately 125 kilometres (78 mi) northeast of Modimolle, the capital of Waterberg District.[5] Mogalakwena Platinum Mine is located about 90 kilometres (56 mi) west of the city of Polokwane, the capital of Limpopo Province.[6]
Overview
editAnglo American Platinum is in the process of reducing its global carbon footprint. As part of those efforts, the conglomerate, has plans to reach carbon neutrality by 2040. This renewable energy infrastructure project is one of the developments towards that goal. Construction is expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2022 and conclude in the fourth quarter of 2023.[2][3]
Other ongoing efforts by the mining group include the production of "green hydrogen" at Mogalakwena. The hydrogen will then be used to power the rail system and possibly transport trucks and buses within the mine.[7]
Developers
editAnglo American Platinum has selected the companies illustrated in the table below, to design and construct the power station. The developers are expected to form a special purpose vehicle company to carry out the task. For descriptive purposes we will call that company Mogalakwena Solar Power Consortium.[1][2][3]
| Rank | Name of Owner | Domicile | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pele Green Energy | South Africa | [1][2][3] |
| 2 | EDF Renewables | France | [1][2][3] |
Other considerations
editWhen the ownership documents are finalized, Anglo American Platinum has arranged, for a 10 percent shareholding to be assigned to a community trust (which does not have to contribute any capital), whereby any profits assigned to the trust will benefit the communities where Anglo American Platinum maintains operations.[2][3]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b c d ED Stoddard (6 October 2021). "South Africa: Anglo American Platinum Selects Preferred Supplier to Build 100MW Solar Plant At Limpopo Mine" (via AllAfrica.com). Daily Maverick. Johannesburg, South Africa. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f Veselina Petrova (7 October 2021). "Pele Green, EDF to build 100-MW solar park at S African platinum mine". RenewablesNow.com. Sofia, Bulgaria. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f Schalk Burger (6 October 2021). "Pele Green-EDF SA consortium to build 100 MW solar PV plant at Mogalakwena". Mining Weekly. Johannesburg, South Africa. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
- ^ "Road Distance Between Mokopane, South Africa And Mogalakwena Platinum Mine" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
- ^ "Road Distance Between Modimolle, South Africa And Mogalakwena Platinum Mine" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
- ^ "Road Distance Between Mogalakwena Platinum Mine And Polokwane, South Africa" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
- ^ Jean Marie Takouleu (28 September 2021). "South Africa: Engie and Scatec to supply green hydrogen to Mogalakwena mine". Arik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 9 October 2021.