Waterloo Solar project comes on line
The latest solar plant in the North West has commenced operations, bringing the total number of large-scale projects constructed in this province to three in just one year.
Waterloo Solar
Boasting 261,360 solar modules, the 75MW Waterloo Solar project is set to generate enough electricity to power 84,000 homes, via the national grid, annually.
Situated on a 171-hectare site, the project was constructed in under two years, having commenced mid-February 2019. It is connected to Eskom’s Mookodi switching station, which feeds the generated power into the country’s national grid.
The project achieved full quality and grid-code compliance by local engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor Juwi Renewable Energies on 21 December November 2020 and is part of the government’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme. It will be operated and maintained, on behalf of the owners, by the Juwi O&M subsidiary company, for the first five years.
At the peak of construction over 500 people, mostly from the surrounding local beneficiary communities, were directly employed. This is in addition to the employment created through the contracting out of various services.
Communities
During its 20-year operations period, the project will focus on empowering and strengthening the local communities of Vryburg, Kismet Park, Huhudi, Colridge and Dithakwaneng within the Naledi local municipal area. Socioeconomic development projects will focus on education, as well as youth development, health, food security and welfare. The programmes have been chosen following research and engagement to ensure that they are well informed and will strengthen the beneficiary communities.
Additionally, a percentage of the revenue generated each year will be committed to implementing enterprise development initiatives, to build resilience and accelerate the growth and success of entrepreneurial businesses, ultimately stimulating local economic growth and creating opportunities for the economic participation of previously disadvantaged groups. The focus is on small and micro enterprises, designed to enhance growth. To deliver on this objective, a local resource centre has been established for local SMMEs and communities at large, which will support this drive to aid development, while providing accredited skills training to start-up businesses.
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