Abengoa has begun construction on the 50 MW solar power tower Khi Solar One and the 100 MW parabolic trough plant KaXu Solar One, which are both located in South Africa.
The concentrating solar power (CSP) plants were two of the 28 renewable energy projects announced late 2011 by the South Africa Department of Energy (DOE). The DOE intends to bring 17,800 MW of renewable energy online by 2030.
Abengoa is partnering with the state-owned Industrial Development Corp. (IDC), a South Africa-based finance institution, on the projects. Abengoa will build, operate and maintain the plants, as well as own a 51% stake. The IDC holds 29%, and the Black Economic Empowerment program maintains the remaining 20%.
Both plants have in place long-term power purchase agreements with Eskom, South Africa's power utility, and project finance agreements with a group of South African and international financial institutions.Â
