Photon Renewable Energy has secured favourable grid connection terms for its proposed 250 MW solar-hydro project in Winterton, KwaZulu-Natal. The development will combine concentrated solar photovoltaic (PV) and thermal hydro storage technologies.
The grid connection terms will allow for the plant’s full capacity to be integrated into the regional and national grid, says Photon Renewable Energy, which is the South African subsidiary of Dutch company Photon Energy. The project includes a 250 MW concentrated solar PV system and 150 MW of thermal hydro storage set to be developed on 1 200 hectares of land.
The plant will use RayGen technology, which integrates solar power generation with thermal storage. The system features a field of mirrors that direct sunlight onto a central receiver with PV modules. According to RayGen, this is almost 2 000 times more powerful than traditional solar panels. Energy storage will be managed using two insulated water pits, 15 to 20 metres deep, that store hot and cold water to minimise energy losses.
Photon Renewable Energy indicated that the next steps would involve working with Eskom and the local distribution system operator to design technical solutions for grid integration. The environmental impact assessment is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of this year. Zoning processes are already underway. The company is preparing to submit its licence application to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa and expects the project to reach ready-to-build status by the second quarter of 2026.
