Construction work has started on a 148 MW solar power park in South Africa.
The Bolobedu solar facility will supply electricity to Richards Bay Minerals (RBM), a local subsidiary of Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto. The completed plant is expected to be among the largest renewable-energy projects dedicated to a corporate body, according to Solar Quarter.
As part of a 20-year corporate power purchase agreement with French renewable-power producer Voltalia, the plant will provide 300 GWh per year to RBM’s operations in KwaZulu-Natal, avoiding 237 000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. This translates into the equivalent of removing nearly 50 000 vehicles from roads.
Construction is scheduled for completion in 2024.
