KOUGA TO EXPLORE ‘CLEAN’ ENERGY SOURCES

KOUGA Municipality is set to reduce its reliance on Eskom as a primary energy provider.

Kouga Executive Mayor, Horatio Hendricks, said given the problems caused by prolonged load shedding at high stages, as well as the impact it has on the local infrastructure and economy, Kouga the municipality is aiming to be less dependent on electricity generated by Eskom.

“To achieve this, we will undertake a six-month feasibility study to determine the viability of alternative means of renewable energy and power generation by independent power producers,” he said. “This is a hybrid application, which means we will look at the feasibility for solar photovoltaic (PV) technology and wind power and gas, as well as biomass.”

The study, set to be completed by the end of June 2023, will consist of the construction of a 20MW plant – supplying a third of the average electricity used.

“A piece of land, strategically located to reach all major towns being fed with electricity under the Kouga distribution license, has already been identified,” said Hendricks 

According to Hendricks, the ultimate goal is to generate 60MW of electricity, which will make the municipality independent of Eskom.

“A place to live with secure, ‘clean’ energy is surely to impact positively on the lives of all residents,” he said.

In addition, the municipality is also looking at short term plans – a 1MW energy plant – which will benefit the region’s waste water treatment plants and water purification plants.

“The energy plant will supply ‘clean’ electricity, thus, not only reducing our electricity purchase from Eskom, but it will also drastically cut our diesel and oil procurement for these plants,” said Hendricks. “It will, furthermore, ensure reliable energy with less breakdowns and maintenance.”