Kouga plans alternative energy sources to reduce reliance on Eskom

With Kouga hoping to reduce its reliance on Eskom, the municipality will carry out a sixmonth feasibility study to determine the viability of alternative renewable energy and power generation by independent power producers.

Mayor Horatio Hendricks said given the problems caused by prolonged load-shedding, as well as the effect it had on the local infrastructure and economy, the municipality aimed to be less dependent on 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 of solar photovoltaic technology, wind power, gas as well as biomass.”

The study will be completed by the end of June.

A 20MW plant, supplying a third of the average electricity used in the municipality, will be constructed.

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

He said the ultimate goal was to generate 60MW of electricity.

“A place to live with secure, clean energy is sure to positively affect the lives of residents.”

In addition, the municipality is also looking at short-term plans — a 1MW energy plant

— which will benefit the region’s wastewater treatment and water purification plants.

“The energy plant will supply clean electricity, thus not only reducing our electricity purchase from Eskom, but also drastically cutting our diesel and oil procurement for these plants.

“It will also ensure reliable energy with fewer breakdowns and less maintenance.”

Meanwhile, the council approved the 2022/2023 adjustment budget on Tuesday.

This, after the midyear financial report was tabled and approved, which required an adjustment budget to be tabled.

The adjustment budget amounts to R1.2bn, comprising R1.1bn for the operating budget and R107m for the capital budget.

The operating budget reflects an increase of R14m.

The increase in the operating budget is mainly made up of increased employee-related costs, inventory consumed, finance charges, contracted services, transfers and subsidies.

The capital budget reflects an increase of R68m.

“Roads and water infrastructure maintenance required an addition of more than R4m, while the hiring of sanitation trucks required an extra R5.4m.

“Bulk water needed an additional R4m, while R1.5m was added for maintaining sewerage pump stations.

“Increased hire charges for water amounted to R2.3m,” Hendricks said.

According to Hendricks, fuel and oil — mainly for generators — cost the council an additional R8.4m.

“This is to ensure our plants and infrastructure are in operation during load-shedding.”

‘A piece of land, strategically located to reach all major towns being fed with electricity under the Kouga distribution licence, has already been identified’