April 13, 2015: The Department of Energy has awarded Scatec Solar (‘SSO’) a preferred bidder status for three solar power plant projects with a combined nominal capacity of 258 MW in the fourth round of the “Renewable Energy IPP Procurement Programme” in South Africa.
“We are very impressed by the great determination by the South African government to use large scale renewables to strengthen power supply in the country. With this award, the people of South Africa will access more clean, reliable and cost competitive electricity in many years to come. The three solar power plants will be built on directly adjacent sites, and will combined represent one of the largest solar parks ever realized. The award confirms our position as the leading solar IPP in Africa. We have the largest asset base found in South Africa and we continue to develop a significant project pipeline across the African continent” says CEO Raymond Carlsen in Scatec Solar.
The plant will be located in Upington in the Northern Cape region, and project financing is already arranged as part of the bid preparations. Financial close is expected later in 2015, while construction start is expected in early 2017 to align with the timeline of required grid construction activities in the area. Scatec Solar will build, own and operate the solar power plants with a 42 percent shareholding. Norfund – the Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries- will hold 18 percent of the equity, while the balance will be held by a Trust channeling dividends from the projects to economic development initiatives in the local communities.
Currently Scatec Solar holds gross 427 MW in operation and under construction. With this project award, Scatec Solar will increases its asset base by 60% through another 258 MW of projects with secured power purchase agreements in ‘project backlog’. In addition, Scatec Solar has a solid project pipeline of more than 400 MW across Africa, Middle East, Americas and Asia.
For more information
Mr. Raymond Carlsen, CEO, tel: +47 454 11 280 raymond.carlsen@scatec.com
Mr. Mikkel Tørud, CFO, tel: +47 976 99 144 mikkel.torud@scatec.com
About Scatec Solar
Scatec Solar is an integrated independent power producer, aiming to make solar a sustainable and affordable source of energy worldwide. Scatec Solar develops, builds, owns and operates solar power plants and delivers power from 220 MW in the Czech Republic, South Africa and Rwanda. The company is in strong growth and has 207 MW under construction in the US, Honduras and Jordan as well as a solid pipeline of projects under development in Africa, Middle East, Americas and Asia. Scatec Solar is headquartered in Oslo, Norway and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ‘SSO’
For more information on Scatec Solar, please visit our home page www.scatec.com