The City of Cape Town plans to build its first grid-connected solar plant in Atlantis.
Construction on the plant is set for next year as one of its long-term interventions to end load-shedding, Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis explained.
“This is one of a range of interventions to end load-shedding over time,” he said, “and the plant would start generating electricity in 2024 and be in operation for 20 years, with a foreseen annual output of 14,7 GWh.
“The City currently purchases most of its electricity from Eskom and with high price escalations expected in future it may not be financially sustainable for the City and its residents.”
The Mayor explained that, along with a more stable electricity supply, the City believes the new solar plant will enhance greater Cape Town’s financial sustainability, as the cost of generating the electricity would be lower than the bulk procurement from Eskom.
He added by reducing the dependency on the parastatal the City can develop and explore more climate-friendly power sources.
Councillor Beverley van Reenen, Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, added the plant will add to the attractiveness of Atlantis as an investment hub.
She said with the establishment of the Atlantis Special Economic Zone the town is set to be a leader in green and eco-technology.
According to Van Reenen, it is expected that the plant will stimulate the green and broader local economy. The investment in construction of the Atlantis plant is expected to result in a R47,2 million gross domestic product increase.
The City says the development of the plant is expected to enhance the safety of the surrounding communities as well as stimulate the surrounding property market.. Tender documents may be submitted and collected during working hours, from 08:30 to 15:00, at the Tender Distribution Office, 2nd Floor (Concourse Level), Civic Centre, 12 Hertzog Boulevard, Cape Town.. The closing time for receipt of tenders is 10:00 on 25 October 2022.
