Witkop Solar Power Plant

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The Witkop Solar Park, a 30 MW solar PV facility, was under development by the US-based solar company Sunedison. Sponsors of the project included Sunedison, backed by MEMC materials (51%) and an array of local South Africa businesses (49%). Shareholders in the holding company were CHINT / ASK & MEMC. Astroenergy Solar Korea (ASK) was a wholly owned subsidiary of CHINT Solar (Zheijiang), of CHINT Groep. SunEdison was bought by MEMC in 2009. The project company was: Core Energy (Pty) Ltd. The project was awarded in a tender administered by the Department of Energy where a critical factor in the decision was the projected price of power. Contractual negotiations on the PPA and financing were to be completed by June 2012, but it was predicted that there would be a 20 year PPA with the state owned utility, Eskom. Construction was expected to start in December 2012. The project was to connect to the Witkop substation. EPC partner was Izingwe Capital. O&M partner was Landelahni investments. Management services provider was SunEdison Energy Southern Africa Total estimated project cost was ZAR 1.560 billion (USD 180 million), with commissioning expected for 2013. Financial closure was expected in June 2012. The power plant commenced its operation in April 2014. Coordinates were: 24° 2.5' S , 29° 21.7' . http://www.nersa.org.za/Admin/Document/Editor/file/Consultations/Electricity/Presentations/3_%20Witkop%20Solar%20Park%208%20March%202012.pdf