Rendering of proposed plant.
In preparation for a renewable energy funding review, Pele Green Energy needed an independent engineering analysis of their proposed 75 MW solar PV plant in South Africa.
South Africa has aggressively improved its use of renewable energy through the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Program (REIPPP), which has taken place in bid rounds. Historically dependent on the use of coal for its power plant fleet, the REIPPP has solicited independent power projects through a series of bid windows since 2010.
Pele Green Energy (PGE), an independent power developer based in South Africa, developed a 75 MW power plant with an optional battery storage system (BESS) in anticipation of the 5th bid round scheduled for 2021. The U.S. Trade and Development Agency awarded PGE grant funding for early-stage engineering and feasibility analysis.
POWER was retained for this project to conduct an independent engineering analysis of the proposed solar PV plant. In addition, the team conducted a feasibility analysis of integrating BESS and modeled different use case scenarios to confirm the economic costs and benefits of using the BESS to achieve different objectives.
The REIPPP has been held up as a model for other African countries and their renewable energy expansion plans and competitive tendering efforts. The analysis identified issues worth addressing prior to submittal to the REIPPP, which strengthened our client’s proposal in this competitive process.
Highlights
- Comprehensive Analysis: The independent engineering review included the project’s engineering design; early engineering and feasibility studies; solar resource yield analyses; planned site layout; early environmental, topographic and geotechnical reports; feasibility analyses; financial model; environmental and social impact studies; and permitting and licensing requirements.
- Use-Case Scenarios: Also studied were multiple use-case scenarios of the BESS to determine costs and benefits of integration.
Features
- 75 MW Solar PV Plant
- Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
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