Cape Town is poised to become the first city in South Africa to own and operate a solar power plant, a significant step towards energy independence.
The city is currently constructing a 7 MW solar facility in Atlantis, roughly 40 km north of Cape Town, with plans to scale up the capacity to 10 MW in the future.
The Lesedi Technoserve consortium is overseeing the engineering, procurement, and construction of this ZAR 200 million ($11.3 million) project. The construction phase is expected to last about a year, after which the facility will be connected directly to the city’s grid.
The Cape Town government has revealed intentions to expand similar renewable energy projects across the region in the coming years. As part of its long-term energy plan, the city has committed to investing ZAR 39.5 billion in infrastructure between July 2024 and June 2027.
Additionally, Cape Town has issued a tender for its first battery energy storage system, which will feature a 5 MW/8 MWh capacity.
This battery storage system is set to be installed at the same location as the solar plant. The tender is open until November 20, providing an opportunity for potential suppliers to participate in this groundbreaking initiative.
Energy Strategy
These projects are integral components of Cape Town’s 2050 Energy Strategy. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis emphasized the importance of the solar plant in light of recent increases in electricity prices by Eskom, the country’s primary power supplier.
“The city currently allocates 75% of the tariff income from our electricity sales to purchase power from Eskom,” Hill-Lewis noted.
“With the continued price hikes from Eskom, including a recent request for an almost 44% increase, diversifying our energy sources has become essential. These hikes are unsustainable for both the city and our residents, and we are committed to challenging these excessive price increases.”
In a bid to support residential adoption of renewable energy, Cape Town recently launched an online solar authorization portal.
This platform aims to streamline the process of obtaining certificates for installing residential solar panels and battery systems, reducing wait times and encouraging more households to switch to solar power.
With these strategic initiatives, Cape Town is positioning itself as a leader in renewable energy, setting a benchmark for other municipalities in South Africa to follow.
The new solar plant and accompanying projects highlight the city’s commitment to creating a sustainable energy future while reducing dependence on traditional power sources.
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