Scatec inaugurates 540 MW Kenhardt solar farm in South Africa's Northern Cape

Scatec has officially launched the Kenhardt solar farm in the Northern Cape, boasting a capacity of 540 MW.

During the inauguration ceremony on April 18, CEO Terje Pilskog praised the significant progress made at the site, which now contributes electricity to South Africa’s grid, reaffirming Scatec’s dedication to the local market.

The project, renowned for its 540 MW solar capacity, 225 MW battery storage, and 1.1 GWh storage capacity, stands as one of the largest hybrid power ventures globally.

Spanning 879 hectares and stretching 10 kilometers from north to south, the site houses one million solar panels and a battery facility comprising 456 units, each equivalent to the size of a shipping container as well as weighing 30 tons.

Throughout the construction phase, the project provided employment to 2,600 workers, with the majority being South African nationals, including numerous women.

Pilskog commended all involved personnel for completing the infrastructure within an 18-month timeframe while maintaining exemplary safety standards.

He highlighted South Africa’s pivotal role in the renewable energy sector, particularly citing the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme initiated in 2010.

Scatec, named a preferred bidder in the program’s first bid window, inaugurated its first utility-scale project, the 75 MW solar venture Kalkbult, in 2013, also situated in the Northern Cape.

Subsequently, Scatec commenced development of the Kenhardt project in 2014, establishing technical and operational centers in South Africa.

Under a 20-year power purchase agreement with State-owned utility Eskom, the site supplies 150 MW of dispatchable power to the grid from early morning to mid-evening year-round.

Pilskog emphasized the indispensable role of Scatec’s funding partners, including H1 Holdings, Standard Bank, Old Mutual, Norfund, EsksFin, and the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa, in realizing the project.

Projects like Kenhardt significantly alleviate current power shortages, underscoring the crucial role of energy storage in enhancing the country’s energy security and combating the persistent issue of load shedding.