FG.de builds "Solar Silicon Valley" in South Africa

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has signed an agreement with FG Emvelo, an independent solar power plant company, to develop high-efficiency concentrating solar power (CSP) plants at Karoshoek Solar Valley in Northern Cape province, South Africa.

FG Emvelo, a joint venture between FG.de, a German group of companies and Emvelo Projects, a pan-African company, with headquarters in Johannesburg, recently acquired a 340 square kilometer site with high DNI (direct normal irradiance). The plants will use the highly efficient and cost-effective ABB-Novatec Solar turnkey concept for CSP plants which reduces the need for land by 40 percent and water consumption by 80 percent.

“We are proud to announce the start of a new strategic partnership with ABB and Novatec Solar,” said Florian Fritsch, managing director of FG Emvelo. “With their collaboration, and the use of linear Fresnel technology, we will be able to take significant steps towards achieving our goal of a ‘solar Silicon Valley’ at Karoshoek.”