Spanish-Mexican green power firm Cox Energy SAB de CV announced on Tuesday its agreement to purchase a 51% stake in the 50-MW Khi Solar One concentrated solar power (CSP) plant in South Africa, pending approval from local authorities. The remaining 49% will be retained by local shareholders.
Located near Upington in South Africa's Northern Cape province, Khi Solar One holds the distinction of being the first operational CSP tower plant on the African continent, Cox Energy noted. In addition to its central tower, the facility includes a field of heliostats and thermal storage.
“The project stems from South Africa's first round of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPP), benefiting from a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with South African utility Eskom,” Cox Energy stated.
Khi Solar One, operational since 2016, currently generates 100 GWh annually. Cox Energy plans to increase this output by over 30% through an upgrade program starting in August 2024. The company intends to oversee the operation and maintenance of the plant until the PPA's expiration in 2036.
