Construction work has started on a 148 MW solar power park in South Africa.

The Bolobedu solar facility will supply electricity to Richards Bay Minerals (RBM), a local subsidiary of Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto. The completed plant is expected to be among the largest renewable-energy projects dedicated to a corporate body, according to Solar Quarter.

As part of a 20-year corporate power purchase agreement with French renewable-power producer Voltalia, the plant will provide 300 GWh per year to RBM’s operations in KwaZulu-Natal, avoiding 237 000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. This translates into the equivalent of removing nearly 50 000 vehicles from roads.

Construction is scheduled for completion in 2024.

17 January 2023
Image: Unsplash