- Gauteng province has just announced an investment of 1.2 billion South African rands (over $66 million) to reduce load shedding.
- The provincial government plans to appoint six developers in the coming weeks to build an 800 MWp solar photovoltaic plant in the municipality of Merafong.
Electricity load shedding continues in South Africa, despite changes at the head of state-owned Eskom and the creation of a ministry dedicated to the energy crisis. But to keep their economies afloat, local governments are revising their energy policies and want to become more independent of the Eskom grid. Gauteng province has just announced an investment of 1.2 billion South African rands (over $66 million) to reduce load shedding.
The provincial government plans to appoint six developers in the coming weeks to build an 800 MWp solar photovoltaic plant in the municipality of Merafong. The plant will be the first step towards solving Gauteng’s energy deficit. The province of Gauteng, with a population of over 15 million, is expected to have an electricity deficit of 4 058 MW by 2025.
Gauteng province is expected to invest more in electricity generation in the coming years. But for the time being, the provincial government is opting to install solar panels on the roofs of public buildings such as hospitals, clinics and schools.