Abengoa breaks ground on two CSP projects in South Africa

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Abengoa has begun construction of its 50MW Khi Solar One solar tower and 100MW, KaXu Solar One parabolic trough plant in South Africa.

The two concentrating solar power plants (CSP) are part of 28 renewable energy projects the South African Department of Energy (DOE) intends to bring online in order to provide more renewable energy for the country’s grid.

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

Abengoa will build, operate and maintain the plants and claim a 51% stake in the projects. The state-owned Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) holds 29% of the remaining ownership in the projects, while the Black Economic Empowerment programme claimed the remaining 20%.

The Khi Solar One and KaXu Solar One arrays will use Abengoa’s dry cooling technology, which is said to diminish water consumption by nearly two thirds when compared with other CSP plants. They hold a storage capacity of around two hours for the Khi project and three hours for KaXu. Abengoa noted the Khi Solar One project is its third commercial solar tower and its first outside of Spain. The tower will be 200m high and use over 4,500 heliostat moving mirrors.

The plants have signed a 20-year power purchase agreements with South African utility Eskom and closed project finance agreements with a group of South African and international finance institutions, including the European Investment Bank. The bank plans to invest €50 million (US$64 million) in the project, which is its first large CSP project in sub-Saharan Africa.

Both CSP installations are located in the Northern Cape Province near Upington and Pofadder, respectively.

Read Next

September 17, 2025
US renewables developer Longroad Energy has reached financial close for its 400MW 1000 Mile solar project in the US state of Texas.
September 17, 2025
Spanish renewables developer and operator Acciona Energía has commissioned its 412MWp Juna solar PV plant in Kawani village in the western state of Rajasthan. 
September 17, 2025
Spanish IPP Velto Renewables has acquired a portfolio of 53 operational solar assets in Spain with a combined capacity of 260MW.
September 17, 2025
Struggling Swiss solar manufacturer Meyer Burger has formally entered into a debt moratorium, with the possibility of rescuing the entire group now looking unlikely.
September 17, 2025
Nexamp has secured US$350 million through a long-term financing facility to expand its 6GW utility-scale solar and battery storage pipeline in the US. 
September 17, 2025
Chinese module producer DAS Solar is planning a 5GW manufacturing facility focused on producing high-efficiency back contact cells.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA