Kruisvallei hydro-electric power plant in South Africa now operational

The Kruisvallei hydro-electric power plant in South Africa has commenced commercial operation. The power station is located on the Ash River between Clarens and Bethlehem in the Free State Province.

The plant comprises the third hydropower project to be procured under South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program, having been awarded in Bid Window 4, and is expected to provide a reliable electricity source in the region. Red Rocket was awarded this concession under the 4th round of the REIPPP tender.

The completion of commercial operations on this project also marks an important milestone for Red Rocket EPC, which built the hydropower plant. The facility will be managed, operated and maintained by Red Rocket Asset Management and O&M Companies respectively. This is the first project in its larger portfolio that has been undertaken using the company’s fully integrated business model,” said Matteo Brambilla, Red Rocket CEO.

Read:Largest hydropower project in Africa to be fully operational by 2023

Power produced

This power injected into the grid of the public company Eskom is capable of supplying at least 1,916 South African households with electricity. Having been split into two run-of-river hydropower plant, they will both combine to supply 4MW of hydro-electric power through two turbines that will generate around 24GWh per annum providing power for about 1,916 households.

The Ash River flows vary from approximately 15m3 to 40m3 depending on the release schedule from the Lesotho Highlands Scheme. It is estimated that approximately 1 billion m3 of water will flow through each turbine each year.

Approxiately US $24.5m was invested in the project. Red Rocket developed this renewable energy project in partnership with several investors including H1 Holdings, which has a 46.5% stake in the project company, Zevobuzz (RF) (Pty). The Small Renewable Transaction Investment Facility (First), a loan fund dedicated to renewable energy projects in South Africa, provided approximately US $15.4 m in financing for the construction of the Kruisvallei hydroelectric power station.