Sterling and Wilson Commissions 90 MW Solar PV Plant in South Africa

Sterling and Wilson,a leading global solar EPC with around 1000 MW of installed solar PV capacity on ground,has commissioned its 90 MWp solar photovoltaic power plant in South Africa. The solar power plant commissioned by S&W has been set up for Solar Capital De Aar (Pty) Ltd close to De Aar in the Northern Cape region of South Africa.The project is a part of the Department of Energy’s (DoE) Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPP). This IPP Procurement Program has been designed so as to contribute towards socio-economic and environmentally sustainable growth, and to start and stimulate the renewable industry in South Africa. The commissioning of the project is also a quintessential symbol of partnership between India & South Africa in Solar Energy Sector, marking the beginning of an association between BRICS countries in upcoming technology.

The solar plant will be operational for 20 years and is expected to generate approximately 183000 MWh of power during its first year.While installing the solar power plant S&W employedmore than 90%un-skilled employees from the local community. The Power generated by the solar photovoltaic plant will be evacuated at 132 kV voltage level. Sterling and Wilson’s scope of work for this project included turnkey EPC and construction of a 132 kV Substation and 15 kmTransmission line including refurbishment of last 5 km line. S&W will also be doing Operation & Maintenance of said plant. The company is already doing O&M activities for 500 MW of projects globally of projects ranging from 1 MW-150 MW. The power produced by the solar plant will be purchased by Eskom, the South African National Utility Company.