COMMERCIAL - Renewable Energy - Droogfontein Pty Ltd

DROOGFONTEIN –
THE HOME OF TWO SOLAR PARKS

South Africa’s Northern Cape province is the country’s renewable energy home with arguably over fifty percent (50%) of the country’s projects. The bulk of them are solar PhotoVoltaic (PV) plants of which Droogfontein is home to two; Droogfontein Solar Power and Matla A Bokone Solar.

In being enveloped by cloud-free open blue skies and blazing sunlight for much of the year, has made Droogfontein favourable for the harvesting of the sun in generating clean energy.

The two solar parks are driven by multi-million-rand infrastructure that includes amongst others; transformers, transmission lines and solar panels that lie as far as the eye can see.

Droogfontein Solar Power

Droogfontein Commercial Ventures - Renewable Energy FI In it being connected to the Eskom grid in 2014, Droogfontein was thrust into the spotlight amid having been part of the first group of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) that ingrained South Africa’s renewable energy advent.

“We are proud to be one of the first power producers established in terms of government’s Integrated Resource Plan, which encourages a diverse range of supply technologies to meet the country’s future electricity needs, reduce its carbon emissions and make a positive impact on local communities,” said Mark Pickering, the Managing Director of Droogfontein Solar Power, as quoted on the website of the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) at a time of the plants inauguration.

Droogfontein CPA as landlord of Droogfontein Solar Power

Ownership

Majority owned by the American emerging markets power company Globeleg, with the other consortium partners being Mainstream Renewable Power South Africa, Thebe Investment Corporation, the Letsatsi Borutho Trust, Droogfontein Communal Property Association, Enzani Technologies and Usizo Engineering

Green Energy Capacity

From 168 720 solar panels, feeds to the grid 50MW = 85 458MWh per year (powering 19 000 homes)

Cost Estimate of the Plant

It was estimated at R1.5 billion at the time of inauguration

Land Allocation

100hectares

Benefit

Draw income as the lessor, with the lease having entered into a 20year power-purchase agreement with Eskom

Green Jobs

Over A large number of the CPA’s members acquired job opportunities during the construction stage

Matla A Bokone Solar

Droogfontein - Matla A Bokone Solar Matla A Bone – known as Droogfontein 2 Solar (RF) (Pty) Ltd at the time of the awarding of bid window 4), was connected to the grid in March 2020 amid the commencement of construction in October 2018.

Thus, in being the second plant in just under six years to be connected to the national grid from Droogfontein’s CPA owned land, cast us into the spotlight, making our presence felt in the global partnership of contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

“We have worked very closely with all the key stakeholders including the sponsor’s Community Operations team and the Droogfontein Communal Property Association (D-CPA), who are the land owners and represent the local community interests,” said Nkosinathi Yako, senior construction and site manager of Juwi according to a media release of the company appointed to install the plant.

Droogfontein CPA as the landlord of Matla A Bokone