Eskom pilots solar photovoltaic energy production

This is the first stage of a project designed to introduce renewable energy sources to supply power for internal use at Eskom's coal-fired power stations and reduce the company's carbon footprint by about 2845 tons a year. The total electricity generated from all these solar PV plants is 1.55MW and could power about 1 900 standard suburban houses with an assumed consumption of 200 KWh per month.

Eskom CEO Brian Dames told BuaNews that there were three pilot facilities - at Lethabo, Kendal in Mpumalanga, and Eskom's Head Office at Megawatt Park - at a cost of roughly R90 million. This project was a milestone for Eskom and demonstrated its commitment to moving to a lower carbon future, Dames said, adding that the company examined its existing generation fleet and looked at other ways of reducing its carbon footprint - an initiative in which solar PV would play a significant role. "We have undertaken to invest in renewable energy projects, and in cleaner coal technologies and these solar panels are an important first step towards that," Dames said.

The Minister of Public Enterprises Malusi Gigaba, said South Africa was committed to reducing its carbon emissions. His department, in particular, was working with state-owned companies, including Eskom, to make a contribution to the mitigation and reduction of climate change. "We want to manage this in a manner that is able to balance...the commercial, financial, environmental and economic objectives so that they are aligned," the minister said. He noted that although South Africa would make use of coal production over the next couple of years, the country was making "decisive steps" towards using renewable sources.

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