The City of Cape Town recently unveiled an R14.6 million ground-mounted solar project, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The 990kWp renewable energy project at the Kraaifontein Wastewater Treatment Plant forms part of the City’s solar PV drive for increased energy security.
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Under its small-scale embedded generation (SSEG) programme, the City installs solar PV systems across its municipal facilities to offset its dependence on Eskom- and City-power supply.
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Similar SSEG projects at the Goodwood Transport Management Centre (330kWp) and the Gugulethu Electricity Depot (125kWp) were completed in addition to the 990kWp project for R20.6 million.
‘This programme contributes toward the reduction of greenhouse gases by providing an alternative to electricity generated from fossil fuels and will assist South Africa to begin demonstrating its commitment to meeting international obligations by reducing its emissions,’ says Xanthea Limberg, the City’s Mayco member for energy.
‘In addition, the project contributes towards diversifying the energy mix to secure additional energy capacity in South Africa and importantly within the City.’
Construction of the Kraaifontein project started in November 2023 and was completed in May 2024. Its expected annual yield was 1.5GWh. It is estimated that the annual savings on electricity purchases in year one will amount to R2.4 million.
Furthermore, the City plans to invest more than R4 billion in upgrades and maintenance to the electricity grid over the next three years.
Plans also include adding up to one gigawatt of independent power supply to end loadshedding in the long term and save enough energy to protect the City’s systems against four of Eskom’s loadshedding stages by 2026.
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Picture: City of Cape Town