
Powerway Renewable Energy, a solar component manufacturer, signed an engineering procurement construction (EPC) solar power contract, valued at R1.5 million (144 000 USD), with Weihai China Glass Solar Company to build the ground-mounted project, and once installed, will have a capacity of approximately 48kW.
"The new ground-mounted project incorporates concrete foundations, thin-film components, and three sets of 15kW inverters. Coega's IDZ will use most of the power generated, with the balance connected to the grid," said Vuyokazi Tyida, CDC investment promotion manager.
Work on the project is scheduled to begin at the end of August and is estimated to be completed in September. The new solar power plant will be installed on a piece of land next to the Coega Business Centre, in the IDZ, and will have an annual output of 72 388kWh, resulting in the reduction of almost 3.3 tons of annual coal emissions.
Powerway's new EPC solar power plant is under the agreement between Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's of Republic of China and South Africa's Department of Science and Technology.
The project is finance supported by Ministry of Science and Technology of China.
Powerway, which took up occupation at its facility in September, aims to create jobs for about 2 000 people over the next three years.
"We started business in South Africa more than three years ago. Our business development has always been orientated towards diversification: from solar plant and solar mounting structure supply, to power plant construction, and now as overall EPC contractor," said Benson Wu, Powerway Chief Executive Officer.
"The Coega project is not only a new milestone for Powerway-South Africa, but also an important demonstration of Coega IDZ's robust growth. We have complete confidence in the future development of our solar PV business in South Africa," added Wu.
Powerway PV SA and JA Solar Holdings formed a joined venture to establish a PV module assembly plant in Port Elizabeth, with an initial nameplate capacity of 150MW, earlier this year. The first phase investment is valued at R300 million, with a further three phases planned for the coming years, totalling R1.2 billion.
"CDC continues to be the investment destination of choice for innovative projects such as this one. The installation contributes to the Coega IDZ's green footprint and is seen in a positive light by the organisation," said Dr Ayanda Vilakazi, CDC head of marketing and communications.