Jasper

Key Facts

HOMES POWERED

MEGAWATTS (MW)

Eskom will purchase 100% of the electricity produced under a 20-year contract, and will then use this electricity for distribution to its customers in South Africa.

LOCAL CONTENT

45% of the total project value was local content spend, with 60% of the local content with BBBEE providers. The project generated about 1 million man-hours during construction, peaking at over 800 on-site construction jobs.

MEGAWATT-HOURS POWER PER YEAR

The project will deliver approximately 180,000 megawatt hours annually, enough to power about 80,000 homes with clean energy.

SOLAR PANELS

325,360 solar panels were installed, with more than 800 workers on-site during peak construction.

EMISSIONS

The Jasper Solar Power Project completed construction in October 2014, two months ahead of schedule. In addition to helping South Africa meet its critical electricity needs, the Jasper project has brought long lasting economic benefits to the region. The project reserves a percentage of total project revenues for enterprise and socio-economic development of local communities.

Jasper

Key Facts

HOMES POWERED

MEGAWATTS (MW)

Eskom will purchase 100% of the electricity produced under a 20-year contract, and will then use this electricity for distribution to its customers in South Africa.

LOCAL CONTENT

MEGAWATT-HOURS POWER PER YEAR

The project will deliver approximately 180,000 megawatt hours annually, enough to power about 80,000 homes with clean energy.

SOLAR PANELS

325,360 solar panels were installed, with more than 800 workers on-site during peak construction.

EMISSIONS

Media Gallery

At 96 MW-DC installed capacity, Jasper is the largest solar PV project in Continental Africa.

Over 325,000 solar panels make up the Jasper Solar PV plant.

Jasper completed construction and achieved full commercial operation in October 2014.

Jasper generates approximately 180,000 MW-hours annually.

A percentage of the project revenues are set aside for Enterprise Development and Socio-Economic Development to benefit of local communities.

Jasper powers about 80,000 homes in South Africa.

Project Overview

POSTMASBURG, NORTHERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA

The Jasper Solar Power Project, completed construction in October 2014 and is fully operational, playing a part in helping South Africa meet its renewable energy targets, in addition to stimulating long-term economic development and creating new jobs. The Jasper Project produces 180,000 megawatt-hours of energy annually for South African residents, enough to power approximately 80,000 homes. Jasper is located adjacent to the Lesedi Power Project, and also adjacent to Redstone CSP Tower project with integrated storage.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Location: Postmasburg, Northern Cape Province, South Africa
Technology: Photovoltaic (PV)
Size: 96 MW-DC installed capacity; 75 MW-AC net generation
Electricity Production: approximately 180,000 MW-hours annually
Power Purchaser: 20-year government supported PPA with Eskom
Homes Powered: 80,000 homes

KEY PROJECT BENEFITS

Clean, zero-emission solar energy in South Africa
Helping South Africa meet its renewable energy targets
Direct and indirect employment
Local Content: 45% of the total project value is local content spend
Preferential Procurement: 60% of the local content is with BBBEE providers
Operating Expenses: During the 20+ year operating life, the project will expend in excess of ZAR 2 billion on operations and maintenance costs
Long term Enterprise Development and Socio-Economic Development investments

HISTORY

In 2011, SolarReserve joined with local empowered infrastructure investors and local developers in the South African market to develop large-scale photovoltaic solar energy projects.

The Jasper Power Project was awarded by the South Africa Department of Energy in the second round of bidding under the South Africa Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPPP), and included a financial investment from Google, which was their first renewable energy investment in Africa. Jasper began full construction on site in October 2013, and began full commercial operations a year later in October 2014.