Jinko Solar, a US-based renewable energy firm, will open its R80-million production facility in Cape Town Tuesday.
Speaking at a US-Africa summit in Washington yesterday, Rob Davies, South Africa’s trade and industry minister, said the launch of the facility is an indicator that South Africa is turning out to be a leader in renewable energy.
In just a span of three years, the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPP) model has developed rapidly into a novel industry sector, Davies said.
Davies further commented that Jinko Solar had opened up the 120MW solar photovoltaic (PV) module production facility in reaction to the programme roll out, where 148MW of solar PV projects had been secured.
“From the start of the project, Jinko Solar had distributed 300 MW of solar PV panels, attaining approximately 30 percent market share.
“Once again this project emphasizes South Africa’s attractiveness as an investment destination and will further add to developing the country as a center for renewable energy and other green economy industries,” Davies said.
