Under the programme, the company has won the right to sign energy supply contracts with the South African utility Eskom for power generated by the project being built in Prieska, Northern Cape.
Total’s affiliate SunPower, which will install its Oasis Power Blocks system, will be responsible for engineering, procurement, construction as well as operation and maintenance of the project.
The project is estimated to generate around 210GWh of power annually, which is enough to power around 45,000 homes, the company claims.
South African banks through non-recourse project debt will fund 80% of the $200m project, while the project partners will fund the remaining 20% of the cost based on their respective ownership interests.
The partners and their interests in the project include Total (27%), Calulo Renewable Energy (25%), Mulilo Renewable Energy (18%), the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) (15%), Futuregrowth Asset Management (10%) and a Local Community Trust (5%).
SunPower president and CEO Tom Werner said the latest award is an example of Total’s international footprint providing opportunities to the company.
"SunPower’s successful track record of building solar power plants around the world, coupled with Total’s historic presence in South Africa, will positively impact this region, including job creation," added Werner.
