South African government studies prospects for polysilicon plant

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA: The South African Government, through the Department of Trade and Industry has issued a Request for Proposal to investigate the viability of a polysilicon plant in South Africa.

The purpose of solicitation is to provide the background requirements for a study to investigate the viability of establishing the polysilicon plant. The study should be done to scoping level of confidence, on all the technical, marketing, financial and strategic aspects needed to facilitate the establishment of a polysilicon plant, at an appropriate site, in South Africa.

For South Africa, the Government says, the solar photovoltaic market in particular has been facing a significant challenge due to shortages and allocations of polysilicon over the last few years. The shortage of feedstock between 2004 and 2007, reached a critical point, which in turn affected the production of solar panels and consequently, the industry growth.

With demand from the semiconductor and solar energy industries expected to grow by between 5 percent and 9 percent, demand for solar-grade polysilicon is likely to reach over 40 percent of the total demand in 2009-2010, says the South African Government.

The White Paper on renewable energy (Nov 2003) by the Department of Minerals and Energy, has set a target that 4 percent of South Africa's power demand should be provided by renewable energy sources, of which solar power is expected to play a key role.

In order to fulfill this mandate, the establishment of a vibrant local photovoltaic manufacturing and related industries will be needed to ensure a competitive solar industry. Access to sufficient quantities of solar grade polysilicon feedstock is a key component in the manufacturing of solar panels.

It is within this framework, and together with its mandate to facilitate industrial development in South Africa, that the IDC wants to initiate the Study. Subject to the outcomes and recommendations of the Study, the IDC will engage with appropriate role players/partners to facilitate the implementation of the Project.

Proposals should be submitted in duplicate all bound in a sealed envelope endorsed "TENDER T30/1009/09 REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL TO INVESTIGATE THE VIABILITY OF ESTABLISHING A POLYSILICON PLANT IN SOUTH AFRICA".

The sealed envelope must be placed in the tender box at the Main Reception area of the IDC Building, 19 Fredman Drive Sandton by no later than 12h00 noon on January 22, 2010.

Source: Solarbuzz