Update

GEORGE NEWS - The new 1MWp solar farm being constructed in the George industrial area is expected to be finished in January 2024. 

George Mayor Leon van Wyk, accompanied by the Portfolio Councillor for Electrotechnical Services and Fleet Management Nosicelo Mbete, officially celebrated the start of construction at the 1ha open land in April this year.

The renewable energy power generated through this plant will be connected to the grid to reduce the municipal bulk purchases and will only support the immediate George area. 

The 1MWp PV plant will consist of approximately 1 728 PV panels and 10 x 110kW inverters at a total cost of R24 843 090,36. The plant is expected to generate about 1 780MWh per year.

The municipality aims to get the city and its residents freed of at least one stage (two hours) of load shedding. 

A three-pronged approach will be followed to reduce our reliance on Eskom power: emergency efficiency, another own-build programme, and procuring energy from independent power producers. At peak times, George uses up to 85MVA per day. The 1MWp PV plant currently being built is the first phase of solar PV plants for George that will feed directly into the municipal grid. 

The large-scale solar plants will provide own generation, reduce the use of Eskom energy and help keep future dispatchable battery energy storage systems charged. 

It will also help to reduce internal electricity costs and increase sustainability.

At the  breaking of the ground earlier this year are, from left: electrical contractor Jandré van Zyl (VE Reticulation), Deon Esterhuysen of the the electrotechnical department, Mayor Leon van Wyk, Portfolio Councillor Nosicelo Mbete, Danie Greeff and consulting engineer Jacques van Zyl (Lyners Consulting Engineers)