South Africa’s renewable energy investment reached $5.7 billion in 2012
UNEP report highlights South Africa's growing stature in solar sector with Jasper Power Project and investment from Google
According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), South Africa recorded the world's highest growth in renewable energy investment last year, as outlay on projects in the country reached US$5.7 billion.
Solar power projects have been the primary focus of the boost as South Africa has looked to reduce its dependency on coal. The government ha set ambitious targets and is aiming to generate 18 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy by 2030.
The internet giant Google, having spent over US$1 billion in renewable energy projects in the USA and Europe in recent years, announced its support of the 96 MW Jasper Power Project in Northern Cape and will invest around US$12 million in the plant.
Jasper is expected to be one of the biggest and most productive solar installations in Africa capable of generating enough power for 30,000 homes.
South Africa seems to be setting a clear example and in April, Mauritania launched a 15 MW PV facility that is designed to account for 10 per cent of the country's energy capacity. In June, Morocco also began the first phase of the construction of a 160 MW concentrated solar power technology plant near Ouarzazate as part of the country's efforts to produce 2,000 MW of solar energy by 2020.
And late last year, British company Blue Energy announced plans to build the Nzema Project in Ghana, a 155 MW facility. Construction at the $400 million project is expected to begin in the first quarter of next year, while the plant should become fully operational by the end of 2015.
