OSLO, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store has highlighted Norway's growing support for solar power development in South Africa, as he visited Norwegian-owned solar power plants in the country, the government said in a release on Sunday.
Store visited the Damlaagte and Ilikwa solar power plants in South Africa's Free State province on Friday. The plants were developed by Mainstream Renewable Power, in which Norway's Aker Horizons ASA is a major shareholder. According to the Norwegian government, the company has provided renewable energy to around 200,000 households, while the two plants Store visited together supply electricity equivalent to the annual consumption of roughly 120,000 households.
While progress in renewable energy deployment has been rapid, Store underscored the need for more investment and cooperation on solar power across the African continent.
"Some 600 million people on the African continent lack access to electricity. At the same time, Africa has an abundance of sunshine, which is a good source of renewable energy. I had the chance to see how Norwegian companies are helping to produce renewable energy. This solar energy plant is serving both to reduce emissions and create growth," Store said during the visit.
South Africa remains heavily dependent on coal, which accounts for about 85 percent of its power production. The Norwegian side sees solar projects such as Damlaagte and Ilikwa as examples of how foreign investment can both ease the country's energy crisis and contribute to its green transition.
"These solar power plants are an excellent example of how Norwegian investments are being used to advance the green transition across the world. Plants such as this also create new jobs," said the prime minister.
Norway is investing widely in renewable energy development in South Africa as part of its support for the country's long-term plan to phase out coal and implement a green transition. Norfund, the Norwegian investment fund for developing countries, has invested around 5 billion Norwegian kroner (about 480 million U.S. dollars) in South Africa, predominantly in renewable energy projects. ■
