The Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Windey, opened a solar power plant in Riverside, which, according to Cape Town Etc, makes this city in the Southern Cape the first in South Africa to have energy independence.
Windey visited the city on Wednesday, September 30, to officially launch the project aimed at reducing Riverside's dependence on Eskom. He noted that this initiative will also help protect residents and municipal infrastructure from rising electricity tariffs.
According to the plans of the Hessequa Municipality, the project includes a 10 MWp photovoltaic solar station supplemented by an energy storage system with a capacity of 10 MWh. The province stated that the station is capable of generating 15 million kilowatt-hours annually and is equipped with advanced monitoring systems.
Although the Premier uses the term 'energy independent,' there is an important clarification: the system is interactive with the main grid, so the city is technically not disconnected from it. Nevertheless, it should have sufficient self-generated energy to meet the needs of local businesses and households. The city is independent of Eskom regarding daily needs, but it does not disconnect the cable connection.
The project is being implemented jointly by the provincial government and the Hessequa Municipality, and its cost was set at 210 million rand. This installation is part of the province's energy sustainability program, and Windey emphasized that its design aims to ensure network stability in the face of a projected 44% increase in electricity sales to municipalities by Eskom.
As reported by SABC News during the groundbreaking, the first phase will supply energy to local businesses, while connection to all residents of the Hessequa region is expected in three years. Windey also presented this project as an example of what can be achieved together by the government, municipality, and private sector in the energy sector, stating that the province is ready to establish partnerships to 'avoid power outages.'
Currently, Riverside is independent in the sense understood by most people, as the connection to the main grid remains as a backup option. The real effectiveness of the station will be tested on a regular Tuesday for servicing municipal services, businesses, and homes.