AMEA Power successful with 120-MW solar project in S Africa tender

• A consortium led by Dubai-based AMEA Power LLC has actually been granted a 120-MW solar project in the 6th round of a tender in South Africa.

The Doornhoek PV Project will lie near the town of Klerksdorp in the North West Province. It is anticipated to be capable of producing greater than 325 GWh of clean energy every year to power around 25,000 homes and also help satisfy South Africa's energy need. The clean power from the plant will conserve regarding 290,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year.

Construction work with the USD-120-million (EUR 113.79 m) project is planned to start by the middle of following year. As soon as operational, the power from the solar park will be offered to state energy Eskom under a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA).

AMEA Power possesses a majority stake in the project with the rest being held by African women, formed by Ziyanda Energy and also Dzimuzwo Consulting.

"The awarding of this project, represents another significant landmark for AMEA Power as it is our first in South Africa and was granted in competitors with various other major renewable energy players. [...] AMEA Power aims to bring much more clean energy projects onto the grid to assist resolve the energy deficiency, as well as supply clean, inexpensive energy to the nation in the long term," said chairman Hussain Al Nowais.

The Dubai-based company has actually already secured sites that could host a further 1GW of renewable energy projects in South Africa.

Doornhoek PV Project is just one of 5 solar schemes amounting to 860 MW that were granted favored bidder status in the 6th round of South Africa's Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) last week.