A 6MW solar plant is set to be constructed in South Africa. This follows a partnership inked between Sustainable Power Solutions (SPS), in collaboration with Darling Green Country Estate and TouchPoint Energy.
The project which is aimed at boosting local energy resilience and providing clean energy, will be developed in phases. The first stage will see SPS commission a 1MW solar plant to provide clean energy to the newly developed Darling Green Country Estate. This energy will also be sold to Swartland Municipality for the first three years as the estate’s 163 stands—already sold out—continue development.
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Green energy adoption
Phase two works will involve construction of a 5MW solar farm which will be connected to the Eskom substation, enabling SPS to supply power through wheeling to customers connected to Eskom’s grid across South Africa. The first phase is expected to be operational by the end of October 2024, with the second phase set for completion by mid-2025.
Francois van Themaat, MD of SPS, expressed enthusiasm for the project, highlighting its positive impact on the Darling economy and residents, particularly in providing protection against load shedding. Together with TouchPoint Energy, SPS views this project as a significant advancement in renewable energy infrastructure for the Western Cape.
This initiative not only positions Darling as a leader in green energy adoption but also showcases the proactive support of local authorities in Swartland Municipality, who have championed the project from the outset.