PowerChina has announced that the 100 MW Redstone concentrated solar power (CSP) plant in South Africa is now connected to the grid. The facility is set to provide 480 GWh of clean energy annually to Eskom, South Africa’s state-owned utility, under a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA).
The Redstone CSP plant utilizes advanced molten salt storage technology, with a tower design and 41,260 heliostats, which accurately direct sunlight onto the solar tower’s heat receiver. According to PowerChina, the molten salt storage system enables up to 12 hours of full-load electricity generation, allowing the plant to continue supplying power after sunset.
Located in the Siyanda district of Northern Cape, the Redstone plant is the first solar thermal tower project in sub-Saharan Africa to incorporate molten salt storage. PowerChina highlighted that it represents the largest investment in the Northern Cape province.
Saudi-based ACWA Power is the primary shareholder, holding a 49% stake in the facility. The project, which was selected as part of South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement (REIPP) program, required an investment of $724 million.
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