Construction World September 2016

ALTERNATIVE POWER SOLUTIONS

creates construction opportunities SOLAR ENERGY BOOST

One such project, the ther- mos-solar generating plant project, known as Kathu Solar Park, is currently underway near Upington in the Northern Cape. Led by client GDF Suez, the project has been implemented with a consortium of partners and in conjunction with the South African Department of Energy (DOE). The scheme is expected to generate around 1 200 new jobs during construction phase and, as such, there is a considerable need for the provision of high quality site accommodation. Answering this call Kwik- space Modular Buildings (Kwikspace), is set to deliver over 2 000 m 2 of temporary site camp accommodation. Kathu is a 100 MW greenfield Concen- trated Solar Power project that, equipped with a molten salt storage system with para- bolic troughs, has a thermal energy storage capacity of four and a half hours. By allowing for the collection and storage of excess solar energy, this technology compensates for the intermittent nature of solar energy. The solar park, in partnership with Eskom, is set to provide no less than 80 000 South African households with solar energy and contribute to a saving of six million tonnes of carbon dioxide over the next 20 years. The Kathu Solar Park project adds to Kwikspace’s growing portfolio in the renewable energy sector which includes the successful delivery of site accommodation to the Xina Solar One (CSP), a 100 MW greenfield concentrating solar power (CSP) project located in Poffadder in the Northern Cape, and the installation of two solar photovoltaic plants (PV) for Italy-based TerniEnergia (Italeaf Group). Both schemes are set to add additional capacity to Eskom’s electricity grid. Modular units for the Kathu project will be manufactured in controlled factory envi- ronments and assembled on site by teams of In order to address the energy crisis in South Africa the government is committed to pursuing alternative energy sources for the provision of the country’s future energy requirements. >

40

experts including an erection team, electrical team, plumbing team and a civils team. All units will be assembled using fully insulated polyurethane injected panels, which provide temperature control and noise reduction far superior to standard prefabricated panels. The modular buildings will function as offices, access control buildings, ablutions and as a kitchen and diner. Additional services such as a large U-shaped contrac- tor’s office, complete with WiFi technology, will also be supplied. This system of modular construction allows for rapid delivery, and modular units can be erected in just 35 working days. To further enhance efficiency, Kwikspace offers a range of fit-out solutions. On the Kathu project the company will also be supplying 2,7 km of palisade fencing, external electrical and plumbing reticulation, a weighbridge, a septic tank, telecommunica- tion facilities, a water conservancy tank and electrical generators. Comments Roberto Campos, Kwik- space sales executive, “We’re excited to

be supporting renewable energy projects that will see a way forward to assisting in South Africa’s energy crisis. Kwikspace is a leading designer, manufacturer and erector of prefabricated buildings for deployment in sub-Saharan Africa and has been accom- modating clients in the oil and gas industry, power generation, construction, mining and government sectors for over 40 years. With its extensive expertise, and factories throughout the country, Kwikspace is perfectly posi- tioned to address a wide range of site accom- modation requirements.” Stringent health and safety regulations are enforced on-site and the client has placed significant importance on ensuring that anyone coming into contact with their works returns home safely at the end of the working day. Kwikspace has made a significant effort to moderate its activities to comply with these requirements. By reducing the amount of man hours spent on a live construction site, the off-site construction methods utilised by Kwikspace offer further health and safety benefits.

CONSTRUCTION WORLD SEPTEMBER 2016