City Power is buzzing as it races against the clock to meet the deadline for the official launch of the solar micro-grid pilot in Alexandra this month. This milestone achievement is poised to pave the way for groundbreaking energy initiatives across the City of Johannesburg in the near future. Nocky Lipheko, City Power’s project leader for Micro-Grid Electrification, Grid Reliability and Expansion, and Energy Management, stresses the significance of the solar micro-grid pilot’s success. “The success of this pilot is paramount as it opens the door for further micro-grid installations in areas grappling with electrification challenges,” Lipheko states. City Power, serving as the implementation agent for the Gauteng Provincial Government, started the installation of the solar micro-grid in December 2023, with a vision to complete the project by March 2024.

This initiative aligns with the provincial government’s commitment to renewable energy and sustainable power generation.

Despite encountering minor delays due to material procurement and delivery, Lipheko assures stakeholders that the project remains on schedule. 

The eagerly awaited moment will arrive towards the end of the month when Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi will ceremoniously switches on the micro-grid.

“This micro-grid serves as a blueprint for City Power’s evolution from merely an electricity company to a comprehensive energy provider,” Lipheko affirms. 

Extensive groundwork, including assessments, site investigations, and preliminary studies, laid the foundation for the project’s success.

Engagement with the community and ward councillors played a pivotal role in understanding the local needs and garnering support.

Lipheko highlights the creation of short-term employment opportunities within the community, with 34 female and 31 male workers from the Expanded Public Works Programme and additional roles filled by small, medium, and micro enterprises.

With 80 jobs created, including those in paving, cleaning, and painting, Lipheko underscores the project’s importance and the imperative of success, especially considering plans for replication in other underserved areas.

The solar micro-grid boasts a myriad of benefits, including its status as a pioneering endeavour in the country and its efficacy in electrifying communities. 

?Designed for both grid-connected and islanded modes, the micro-grid offers peak shaving, islanded operation, renewable integration, and remote monitoring and control capabilities.

“We’re on the cusp of a new era in electricity,” Lipheko declares, emphasizing the transformative potential of projects like the solar micro-grid. With such immense benefits, the hope is to see similar projects proliferate across the nation, ushering in a brighter, more sustainable future for all.

Written by Sascha-Lee Joseph

12/03/2024

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