SA’s first solar powered desalination plant ready – Saudi Arabia It’s the very first plant in SA and extendable in Africa which is going to produce drinkable water from sea water with solar energy only. South Africa’s first solar-powered desalination plant is ready to start pumping water to residents of Witsand near Riversdale in the Southern Cape. The project is a collaboration between the Western Cape and French governments. (LINK). HIWI042018-12-17T08:35:09+01:00