Both projects had already started delivering power to the national grid, following connection in late 2013.

Siemens acted as EPC contractor using Suntech modules.

The two plants were built as part of South Africa’s renewable programme.

Globeleq said construction of the two solar plants created nearly 1,000 jobs, of which more than 700 were drawn from the surrounding communities.

Now that De Aar and Droogfontein Solar Power are operational, a percentage of project revenues will be reinvested into the local community through socio-economic and enterprise development programmes, according to Mark Pickering, managing director of Globeleq South Africa.