
The Bokpoort concentrating solar power project in South Africa. Credit: ACWA PowerForming part of South Africa's Renewable Energy IPP procurement program (REIPP), the 50 MW installed capacity Bokpoort CSP Project is being equipped with the largest thermal storage ever adopted for a solar power plant of this kind and capacity to date. The 9.3 hour storage capacity enables it to yield a record-high generation in excess of 200 GWh/year well into the night every day of the year. This makes CSP the only renewable technology at commercial scale to cover the country's daily peak demand from 5 to 9 PM thereby helping to prevent power black outs.
The Bokpoort CSP IPP will inject significant socio-economic value into the rural South African economy in the vicinity of the power facility -- which is to be located in one of the most under developed areas of the country -- by bringing an average of $2 million in additional investments annually.
Read more: CSP to offset South Africa's peak power demand - FierceEnergy http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/csp-offset-south-africas-peak-power-demand/2013-08-08#ixzz2bS2ah66p