Grootspruit solar plant to power 80 000 homes in Free State
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18-07-2024
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SABC News
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The Grootspruit solar power plant in Matjhabeng, Free State, is set to produce electricity that can power 80 thousand houses. The project is estimated to the tune of over R1.4 billion.
The project was officially launched during a groundbreaking ceremony held in Welkom.
Breaking the ground for the construction of the solar plant aimed at contributing to addressing the energy crisis. The construction work has commenced, and the plant is expected to be commissioned next year.
It will contribute 75 Megawatts to the Eskom national grid.
CEO of ENGIE group, Robert Skjodt says, “This project will be supplying to Eskom’s national grid. 150 000 panels are going to produce enough electricity for 80 000 homes…. while at the same time creating economic opportunities for local communities.”
CEO of Aurex Construction, Stuart Kent adds, “So we will have to have 400 people from the local communities in the renewable energies programmes over the last 12 years. We participated in the first renewable energy programme round one that was rolled out back in 2012 and we have been involved in every subsequent renewables programme. So we are really passionate about engaging with the community as early as we can, getting as many members of the community employed and doing as much as we can to facilitate the just energy transition.”
The Executive Mayor of Matjhabeng Municipality, Thanduxolo Khalipa says they want to turn Matjhabeng Municipality into the country’s energy hub.
“We are informed that it is R1.4 billion investment. Why will we not be excited, as you know we declare Matjhabeng as a construction war zone, we want dust everywhere and we’re responding to the government to prioritise jobs. You can see that our people are happy with all these investors. We are already mobilising for the next investment summit in September because we want more investment in Matjhabeng.”
A number of projects aimed at driving the economy are underway in Matjhabeng.
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