Spanish renewable energy EPC contractor, GRS, has announced the commencement for commercial operations of the 63.2 MWdc Greefspan II solar photovoltaic plant, located in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. The solar energy facility is GRS’ fourth EPC project in South Africa to successfully reach commercial operations.
The Madrid based renewable energy company developed the project in partnership with Umbono Energy Partners. The two parties previously collaborated in developing the Lesedi, Letsatsi and Jasper power plants.
“We have consolidated our position as one of the companies with the highest contribution to the progress of renewable energies in a country that requires new sustainable electricity supply capacity in order to support the growth and recovery of the economy from covid 19,” says GRS’ Country Manager, Country Manager Dylan Tudor-Jones.
In total, GRS currently operates a total amount of more than 285 MW in the Free State and Northern Cape provinces of South Africa.
Greefspan II PV project specs
Greefspan II has 188,822 photovoltaic modules that will produce approximately 150,000 MWh of clean energy each year, providing a constant flow of supply for an estimated 20,000 South African households. The Greefspan II PV project will prevent the emission of 130,000 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere annually.
According to GRS, the company aims to protect the environment and the biosphere in the areas where it builds and operates. On Greefspan II PV project the company “has followed and implemented all the mitigation measures set out in the Environmental Management Program approved by the government”, says Mr. Tudor-Jones.
During construction of the project, an estimated 700 jobs were created and much of the labour was sourced locally in the surrounding communities in and around Douglas in the Northern Cape. GRS says sourcing local labour was in alignment with their internal policy which seeks to accelerate local development in the countries and regions where they operate.
The renewable energy contractor has also recruited a group of community workers and trained to carry out the operation and maintenance tasks to high standards.
