The Redstone 100 MW solar thermal power plant project in the Northern Cape has achieved its first grid connection.

Built by Power Construction Corporation of China (POWERCHINA), the project claims to be sub-Sahara’s first molten salt solar thermal power plant in a tower configuration.

The project uses tower solar thermal technology with a mirror surface of over one million square metres. It incorporates advanced molten salt storage technology in a tower configuration with 41 260 heliostats that precisely reflect sunlight onto the heat receiver at the top of the solar tower.

The dual-tank system for cold and hot storage over 12 hours enables power supply during peak electricity demand at night.

The project will provide 480 GWh of power to South Africa’s grid annually once completed.

POWERCHINA says the plant’s carbon emissions per kWh are significantly lower than those of traditional photovoltaic plants.

The company will continue to inspect and adjust equipment after connection to the grid to ensure continuous operation.