Irish firm Mainstream's two solar PV projects built under Round 1 of the South African government's renewable energy programme for independent power producers held opening ceremonies in the Northern Cape.

The ceremonies were attended by over 200 people from the local community, government and our many financing, construction and investment partners. The De Aar and Droogfontein solar photovoltaic plants, each comprising over 165 000 photovoltaic (PV) panels spread over 100-hectare sites near De Aar and Kimberley, will together contribute 100 megawatts (MW) of clean energy to South Africa's national grid.

Both projects, developed and constructed by Mainstream were delivered safely, on time and within budget. In 2012, Mainstream assembled a consortium to include, Globeleq, a majority shareholder that will now operate both plants, Thebe Investment Corporation as well as South African engineering firms Enzani Technologies and Usizo Engineering, and local community trusts.

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Speaking at the Droogfontein launch, Deputy Science and Technology Minister Michael Masutha said the country's shift towards renewable energy sources would help both to improve energy security and access, and to solve other socio-economic challenges the country was facing. "The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is focusing on setting up the necessary systems to support the sustainable solar energy industry," Masutha said. "This is done through supporting research, development and innovation in the energy sector, informing and influencing energy policy decisions, and supporting human capital development."

The department has set up a number of research initiatives, including the Renewable Energy Hub and Spokes Programme hosted at Stellenbosch University, the University of Pretoria, Fort Hare University, the University of KwaZulu-Natal and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.

The department is also supporting a solar energy resource-mapping initiative by the South African Weather Service, and is finalising a solar energy technology roadmap in collaboration with the Department of Environmental Affairs and the International Energy Agency.

(CD/MH)