Soitec (Euronext), a world leader in generating and manufacturing revolutionary semiconductor materials for the electronics and energy industries, has announced the signature of a power purchase agreement covering the electricity generated at the Touwsrivier power plant it is to build in South Africa.

• A power purchase agreement covering its 44 MWp HCPV (High-Concentration Photovoltaic) Touwsrivier power plant signed

This signature represents a decisive step for the project submitted by Soitec in connection with the first call for projects from independent power producers (IPPs) launched by the South African Ministry of Energy for which Touwsrivier was pre-selected in December 2011. ! Following the signature of the power purchase agreement, Soitec will now seek to refinance the project and launch the construction of the power plant.

Based in the Western Cape, close to the Aquila Private Game Reserve (in which Soitec has already built a pilot facility), the Touwsrivier power plant will ultimately have 44 MWp in capacity. Construction is scheduled to be completed during 2014, but commercial operation of the first installed systems will begin in mid-2013. Commenting on the agreement, Gaetan Borgers, Executive Vice President of

According to the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP2010) launched by the South African Department of Energy, about 42 percent of the electricity generated in the country will come from renewable resources in 2030. The IPP program calls for 3,725 MW in renewable energy capacity to be built, including 1,450 MW in photovoltaic power. 18 solar photovoltaic projects (out of 28 renewable projects) were selected after the IPP first bid submission.