South Africa: Stortemelk hydro commercial operation

The 4.5MW Stortemelk hydroelectric power plant has begun commercial operations on the Ash River in Free State. The run-of-river project was developed by Renewable Energy Holdings (REH) Project Development – formerly NuPlanet Project Development – and is also owned by Mertech Group and 30% by broad-based black economic empowerment company Vapotouch. Stortemelk was selected as a preferred bidder in the second round of the renewable energy independent power producer procurement programme and is REH’s third small hydropower project in the country after 3MW Sol Plaatje, commissioned in 2009, and 4MW Merino, commissioned in 2010.