Chinese solar module maker opens R80m Cape Town plant

17 September 2014 News

Jinko Solar, a solar photovoltaic (PV) module maker headquartered in China, has opened a manufacturing plant in Cape Town’s Epping area.

The company’s R80 million investment comes after negotiations between it and the Department of Trade and Industry (dti) that started in 2012. For its part, the dti was able to cut through some red tape, and provided facilitation and support on local content requirements.

Jinko’s interest in the South African market was piqued when the country rolled out its Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Programme (REIPPP), into which Jinko has deployed over 300 MW of solar PV panels to date, attaining roughly 30% market share, according to the dti.

The 5000 square metre Cape Town factory will have the capacity to produce 120 MW worth of panels per annum and is expected to create 250 jobs. In addition to supporting the ‘green economy’ ambitions of the dti’s Industrial Policy Action Plan, the department said in a statement that this highlights the attractiveness of South Africa as an investment destination and will contribute further to establishing the country as a hub for renewable energy and other green economy industries.

Minister of Trade and Industry, Rob Davies, expressed further optimism in the fact that USA investors such as GE and Solar Reserve, as part of President Obama’s Power Africa programme, have expressed an interest to further invest and expand the energy sector in South Africa and on the African continent.

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