Power Generation and Cumulative Capacity of Solar Thermal Power Plants in South Africa (2017 – 2021)
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Net electricity generated by Solar Thermal power plants in South Africa reached 1,253.9 GWh in 2021, declining 3.5% YoY
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During the same year, the cumulative capacity of Solar Thermal power plants in South Africa reached 500.0 MW, declining 0.0% YoY
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Power generation recorded a historical growth at a CAGR of 16.2% between 2017 and 2021, while the cumulative capacity growth at 13.6% between 2017 and 2021
Power Generation and Cumulative Capacity of Solar Thermal Power Plants in South Africa (2017 – 2021)
With the increasing demand for energy, rising levels of pollution, fear of global warming, scarcity of fossil fuels, and increasing levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, many countries opted for sources of clean renewable energy. Several countries signed protocols with pre-defined emission reduction targets. The Paris Agreement is the most recent initiative in this direction, whereby each country voluntarily determined and presented its emission reduction target and pledged to achieve GHG reduction according to this target. Several countries that are party to the Paris Agreement devised plans to reduce conventional power and aid the growth of renewable power to reduce emissions. The main renewable energy sources are Hydro, Geothermal, Wind, Solar, and Biopower.
Solar Thermal Power, also known as concentrating solar power (CSP), produces electricity by obtaining energy input by concentrating solar radiation and converting it into high-temperature steam or gas to run a turbine or motor engine. Solar energy helps reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for factories where Scope 1 and 2 emission factors are a concern, as this renewable source could be installed on-site and replace energy extracted from conventional sources.
The global installed solar thermal power capacity increased from 1,106.3 megawatts (MW) in 2010 to 6,596.6 MW in 2020, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.5%. The global installed solar thermal power capacity is expected to reach 14,172.8 MW by 2030. In 2021, the top five regions in the solar thermal power market are Spain, the US, China, South Africa, and Morocco.
South Africa is the fourth largest solar thermal power market, with cumulative wind installed capacity of 500 MW as of 2021, growing at a CAGR of 13.6% during 2017–21. The solar thermal power market in the country generated 1,254 GWh of electricity in 2021, which grew at a CAGR of 16.2% during 2017–21.
South Africa has a huge amount of indigenous coal reserves and is among the world’s leading coal exporters. Its dependence on coal resources makes it one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gas (GHG). It is not dependent on imports for energy needs, and almost 75% of its energy demands are met through coal. It is also a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol, and to fulfill its carbon reduction obligations, the government is now focusing on increasing its share of renewable resources. The government has introduced various incentive plans such as Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPPP) to support renewable energy development, and it has good renewable potential, especially in wind and solar power.
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