Capable of generating 216 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity per year, the power plant is expected to have the highest level of power generation than all the plants that are operational in Africa.
Owned by a consortium in which Acciona Energía owns the majority stake, the power plant features 319,600 photovoltaic modules with a peak capacity of 94.3MWp-74 nominal MW.
The solar facility, which is located in the municipality of Dibeng in Northern Cape Province will produce electricity required to meet the needs of around 100,000 households a year.
Power generated from the facility will be delivered to the South African state owned power utility Eskom through the power grid, under a long-term energy purchase and sale contract.
Acciona Energía CEO Rafael Mateo said: "The start-up of Sishen is a major milestone for us, as it is the biggest photovoltaic plant built by our company in the world and our first renewable facility in South Africa, a country in which we expect to increase our presence considerably.
"We are pleased to be contributing to compliance with South Africa’s objectives in achieving a more sustainable energy system, creating jobs and added value in the country in the process."
