US-headquartered Enernet Global said that work has commenced on the microgrid for Global Atomic Corporation’s Dasa Project which lies within one of six zones for which Global Atomic holds uranium exploration permits in the African country. The power plant needs to provide 12MW of peak load for the uranium mine. It will do this with a combination of 16MW solar PV generation capacity, a 15MW battery energy storage system (BESS) and 16MW of diesel generation for backup. It will also be integrated into the local grid owned and operated by Sonichar, a majority state-owned utility company.
The power plant will lower the mine’s upfront capital costs while supporting the local economy through purchasing power from Sonichar, as well as creating a solar legacy for the region. Enernet said early engineering works underway include preliminary design of the plant, equipment selection and configuration of the connection to Sonichar’s grid. This phase will be complete late this year, after which construction will begin for an expected commissioning date in 2023. Enernet’s local subsidiary headquartered in South Africa will carry out the project and the company will own and operate the hybrid power plant.