The City of Cape Town is making plans to build its very first grid-connected solar plant next year as a way to end load-shedding over time.
The 7MW Atlantis solar photovoltaic (PV) will be connected directly to the City’s electrical network. The power plant would start generating electricity in 2024 and be in operation for 20 years, with a foreseen annual output of 14.7GWh.
In the statement, the City says the Atlantis solar plant will enhance the City’s financial sustainability, as the cost of generating the electricity would be lower than the bulk procurement from Eskom.
Reducing dependency on Eskom also means the City can develop and explore more climate-friendly power sources than Eskom’s coal-fired power stations.
According to Cape Town Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis the City has also set aside R15 million to pay small-scale independent energy generators that have been feeding electricity to the grid. Strides have also been made to enable independent power production and small-scale embedded generation.
‘I recently announced a policy shift allowing qualifying commercial and industrial electricity generators to sell energy to the City. The City also issued its first tender in the new Independent Power Producer (IPP) programme which entails buying 200MW from IPPs within the City’s electricity supply area further,’ added Hill-Lewis.
This development also has the potential to enhance Atlantis as an investment hub and stimulate the green and broader local economy.
Meanwhile, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Councillor Beverley van Reenen said the investment in the construction of the Atlantis plant is expected to result in a R4.2 million gross domestic product increase.
The development is expected to enhance the safety of the surrounding communities, as well as stimulate the surrounding property market.
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