5000 MW Solar Park For South Africa : Renewable Energy News

5000 MW Solar Park For South Africa  : Renewable Energy News

In positive news for South Africa's environment, not to mention the nation's job-starved economy, the government have announced plans to construct a 5000 megawatt (MW) Solar Park in the Northern Cape district, which will help begin the process of weaning the country off coal-based power generation.

Ms Dipuo Peters, Minister for Energy, in presenting the completion of a successful feasibility study into the project over the weekend, said the new solar park would be a massive boost to the South African economy, creating over 3000 onsite operation and maintenance jobs once the site comes online.

"A 5000 MW Solar Park constructed over a decade which could result in the creation of approximately 12,300 average annual direct construction jobs," Ms Peters said. "In addition to jobs, the creation of a Solar Park would present the country with a unique opportunity to become a manufacturing and technology hub for the global solar industry."