South Africa unveils revolutionary solar tower with molten salt tech

South Africa has launched a groundbreaking energy project – a solar tower using molten salt technology. This innovative approach to storing energy allows for a continuous supply of electricity, even after sunset.

Renewable energy continually evolves, and South Africa, by introducing the Redstone solar tower, once again demonstrates that it is a leader in innovation in this field. The project, which uses concentrated solar power (CSP) technology, generates up to 480 million kilowatt-hours of clean energy annually, stabilising the national energy system and reducing CO2 emissions. A vital element of this power plant is storing heat in molten salt, which allows for generating energy for 12 hours a day – even after sunset.

South Africa has taken a significant step towards the future by launching a solar tower with 100 megawatts (MW) capacity. This innovative project provides clean energy and highlights the region's commitment to developing renewable energy sources.

The Redstone solar tower, built in the Northern Cape province, stands out for its use of CSP (concentrated solar power) technology. This technology enables the generation of electricity from solar energy all day and night, giving South Africa a stable source of energy, which reduces CO2 emissions and lessens dependence on fossil fuels.

The heart of this solar tower's operation is technology based on precisely positioned mirrors, known as heliostats, designed to focus sunlight on a heat receiver located at the top of the tower. Additionally, molten salt stores energy in the form of heat.

Thanks to this, the solar tower can supply energy even after sunset, ensuring continuity in electricity production for 12 hours a day. This innovative solution makes Redstone a pioneering project on a global scale, and the applied technology could become a model for other countries.