First solar tower in South Africa completed by Abengoa

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Renewable energy technology developer Abengoa has completed construction of South Africa’s first solar tower.

The 50MW tower named Khi Solar One, is 205 metres tall and will be the first operating in South Africa, alongside Abengoa’s 100MW parabolic trough plant: KaXu Solar One, still under construction in the Northern Cape.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Khi Solar One is a super heated steam solar tower with two hours of thermal storage. Abengoa claims the tower is an innovative breakthrough in CSP technology by using higher temperatures and a more efficient cooling system, based on Abengoa's own research and development work. 

The project covers a 600 hectare site in the Northern Cape Province, near Upington.  

The project was realised with infrastructure financers the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and community group, Khi Community Trust.

More than 1,400 local construction jobs and 70 permanent operational jobs have been created by Khi Solar One and KaXu Solar One. 

Khi Solar One will save 183,000 tonnes of carbon a year, and a total of 498,000 tonnes of carbon will be omitted per year from both towers combined.

The towers aid South Africa’s Department of Energy in its goal to bring 17,800MW online from renewable sources by 2030, as part of South Africa's strategy for energy independence.

Read Next

October 7, 2025
The government of Victoria, Australia, has launched the an incentive scheme to encourage businesses to install rooftop solar installations.
October 6, 2025
Genesis Energy and FRV Australia have mutually agreed to terminate their solar development joint venture while maintaining co-ownership of the 63MWp Lauriston solar PV power plant in Canterbury, New Zealand.
Premium
October 6, 2025
Talon PV aims to be the first US company to safely manufacture TOPCon cells at scale, backed by European technology and a crucial First Solar licensing deal.
October 6, 2025
Indian infrastructure company focused on rooftop and ground-based solar power installations, PVV Infra has secured solar power orders worth INR7.9 billion (US$90 million) through two of its subsidiaries. 
October 6, 2025
US utility AES Corporation is reportedly in discussions to be acquired by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a subsidiary of global asset owning giant BlackRock.
October 6, 2025
Indian solar developer ACME Group has established a new subsidiary to manage its renewable equipment manufacturing business, under which it is planning to scale production of TOPCon PV modules.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
October 21, 2025
New York, USA
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland