Cheaper sustainable electricity for DBNLM
Sonia Wahl
Graaff-Reinet Municipal Manager Edward Rankwana released a statement regarding the municipality's programme aimed at sustainable electricity distribution services. The programme, that has been launched already, has two objectives: ensuring the availability and affordability of electricity. He says that significant progress has been made on both fronts over the last year.
"In terms of ensuring available electricity, the municipality aimed to immunise business and residential clients against load shedding. This was achieved by implementing a Municipal Load Shedding Immunity Framework developed by Christo Nicholls from Stellenbosch University," said Rankwana.
Private sector funding was secured for projects focusing on both business and residential premises.
For business premises, the pilot site at the Pick n Pay building in Graaff-Reinet was identified. Contracts and equipment for a
400 kWp PV solution have been secured, with installation and commissioning planned within the next four to seven weeks.
Similarly, residential immunity was initiated in Willowmore. Rankwana says the main reason for identifying Willowmore is that it's the only town where there are no areas that receive their electricity from Eskom.
Funding has been secured for a 1 MWp PV solar plant with a 1,4 MWp battery for energy storage. To help make electricity more affordable, the municipality activated the Smart Electricity Trading Programme to acquire bulk electricity at a lower cost. This programme injects lowcost green energy into the grid, resulting in a fairly proportioned discount for consumers. The pilot phase of this programme produced significant results, increasing the municipality's electricity price margin from 25% to over 60%.
The next phase involves rolling out the programme on a mass scale. Residential users can benefit by participating in the Smart Electricity Trading programme, wherein excess energy generated by their PV systems can be sold back to the municipality, earning them credits. Those without PV systems receive discounts on their bills based on the green energy harvested by the municipality.
To participate, users need to complete an online onboarding form, after which the municipality installs a smart meter at no cost.
Trading can then begin via the My Mynic app, with users receiving daily green energy base credits. More information is available at www.mymunicapp. co.za.
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Residential users can benefit by participating in the Smart Electricity Trading programme.