Acsa in solar first at George airport
26 February 2016. George – Airports Company South Africa has today launched its first 200 square meter solar power plant at George Airport in the Western Cape, further demonstrating its commitment to clean energy generation and sustainability. George Airport is Africa’s first, and currently the only regional airport in South Africa, to be powered through solar energy. The Solar plant is located on the grounds of George Airport. Building thereof commenced in March 2016 and took six months to complete at a cost of R16 million.The first phase, which is now complete, will supply 41% of the airport’s current energy demand, while the balance will be drawn from the national grid with supply capacity steadily being increased as per demand factors. The plant is designed to deliver 750Kw power to the airport once complete. pic supplied 26 February 2016. George – Airports Company South Africa has today launched its first 200 square meter solar power plant at George Airport in the Western Cape, further demonstrating its commitment to clean energy generation and sustainability. George Airport is Africa’s first, and currently the only regional airport in South Africa, to be powered through solar energy. The Solar plant is located on the grounds of George Airport. Building thereof commenced in March 2016 and took six months to complete at a cost of R16 million.The first phase, which is now complete, will supply 41% of the airport’s current energy demand, while the balance will be drawn from the national grid with supply capacity steadily being increased as per demand factors. The plant is designed to deliver 750Kw power to the airport once complete. pic supplied
Nicolette Dirk
Airports Company South Africa’s (Acsa) first 200m2 solar power plant at George Airport shows its commitment to clean energy generation and sustainability.
Transport Minister Dipuo Peters launched the solar power upgrade, saying South Africa had a high level of renewable energy potential and had in place a target of generating 42 percent of its power needs through renewable energy sources by 2030.
“Built at a reported cost of R16 million and commissioned in September 2015, the plant generated 47 megawatt hours of power within the first month of its existence and is reliably expected to save in excess of 1.2 million litres of water per year,” said Peters.
Airports Company SA said the development of the plant was also aligned with the company’s aspirations to reduce its reliance on the national power grid.
The Northern Cape’s two major airports, in Kimberley and Upington, are also expected to soon be powered by solar energy.
The construction of two 500kWp ground mounted solar photovoltaic systems are in progress.
More than 1 800 solar panels will be erected at each of the two sites.
Airports Company SA spokesperson Luthando Kekana said by producing its own electricity, Acsa could save on costs and divert its energy consumption away from a severely constrained national grid. She added that planned phases would see the airports coming completely off the grid and being independent from Eskom.
nicolette.dirk@inl.co.za