Amazon Web Services has completed the construction of its first solar power plant in South Africa. The 10MW plant, which is located in the Northern Cape, will supply clean energy to AWS data centres. The plant is estimated to generate 28,000MWh of clean energy annually equivalent to the energy needed to power 8,000 South African homes.
The plant comprises 24,000 single-axis tracking bifacial solar modules that cover 20 hectares. The bifacial panels will track the sun throughout the day, absorbing solar irradiation and reflected light from the ground. The project will result in the avoidance of about 25,000 tons of carbon emissions annually.
Nat Sahlstrom, AWS Energy Director, stated: “Amazon is committed to working with governments and utility suppliers around the world to help bring more new renewable energy projects online; we’re honoured to be able to work with the Department of Minerals and Energy, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA), and Eskom to help deliver a new model for renewable energy generation in South Africa.” “This project brings Amazon closer to achieving net-zero carbon by 2040 and powering our operations with 100% renewable energy, a commitment we’re on a path to achieve five years early by 2025,” Sahlstrom added.