- Sturdee Energy has reach financial close on two 10MW solar parks.
- PPC Cement is the off-taker in a 20 year PPA agreement.
- Construction will now begin on the Dwaalboom Solar Plant in Limpopo and Slurry Solar Plant in the North West.
The solar parks will feature ground-mounted, embedded grid-tied solar single-axis trackers equipped with bifacial solar panels. This innovative technology not only enhances energy yields but also reduces land footprint by harnessing diffuse irradiation.
Site selection involved comprehensive dust fallout analysis, ensuring that the prevailing wind directions are accounted for. This meticulous planning allows us to minimise dust fallout from PPC’s cement operations, safeguarding the integrity of our solar installations.
Sturdee, as developer and equity shareholder, spearheaded the greenfield development and financial close. Aurex Contractors are the appointed EPC while Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) provided vital debt under a non-recourse project finance structure, solidifying our financial foundation. Another key partner, Eskom, provided the grid capacity allocation and the connection of the two plants to the national grid.
As a home-grown Independent Power Producer (IPP), Sturdee is dedicated to developing, owning, and operating renewable energy projects that benefit both the environment and local communities.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
