PARIS, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- The South African Department of Energy chose French energy company Total as the preferred bidder for an 86-megawatt solar power development, the company said.
"We are pleased to have been selected for this solar project by the Department of Energy," Philippe Boisseau, a Total president in charge of new energy development, said in a statement Tuesday. "This project proves we can deliver, with our [renewable energy] affiliate SunPower, the best technology at a competitive price."
The French energy company said the solar power facility will help add diversity to the South African energy mix. South African electricity consumption is expanding. It experienced an energy crisis in 2008 because of a lack of power.
Total said the solar power facility should be able to generate enough energy to meet the annual needs of roughly 45,000 people in South Africa.
The project, to be built in the central South African city of Prieska, is expected to cost $200 million. A financial decision is expected next year and the project should be completed by the middle of 2015.
Total would own a 27 percent and controlling stake in the project alongside five other partners.
