The Herald (South Africa)

Metro’s solar power drive well received

- Odette Parfitt parfitto@tisoblacks­tar.co.za

THE Nelson Mandela Bay metro is moving forward in its drive to provide solar power to selected consumers, with the first solar panels planned to be in use by July.

The project will see up to 250MW of solar energy being generated each year for 20 years, at no extra cost to the municipali­ty or consumers.

Instead, the cost will be carried by investors who will supply, instal and maintain the photovolta­ic rooftop panels, with the energy being stored in the municipal grid for the beneficiar­ies to use.

Municipal spokesman Mthubanzi Mniki said this approach to generating renewable energy had been lauded by the public since the metro’s initial call for investors in January.

The metro welcomed feedback via an e-mail address until last week.

“Comments came from people, citizens and companies,” Mniki said.

“Some of them were interested in participat­ing in this programme, while others required more informatio­n or compliment­ed the city [for] taking a step in the right direction.”

Mniki said they had also received interest from potential investors.

“So far 10 companies have showed interest to be investors,” he said.

“With this project, the metro also hopes to boost the local green economy.”

The applicatio­n process for investors would open soon, following the discussion and approval of the public engagement process by the city council.

Mniki could not say whether this discussion was included in the agenda for the next council meeting on March 29.

In the meantime, Mniki invited interested investors to e-mail the municipali­ty to be added to the list of interested parties, who will be directly notified when the applicatio­n process begins.

Potential beneficiar­ies can also contact the municipali­ty.

“The list with approved investors will be made available, and the interested person can contact them, or the municipali­ty will assist in bringing both parties together,” Mniki said.

“We hope to see the first installati­ons up and running by July.”

Interested parties can e-mail the metro at PVfeedback@mandelamet­ro.gov.za

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