- With over 50 per cent completion, MTN SA has switched on 5,418 solar panels out of the planned 9000.
- This phased approach will inject 700kW into the 14th Avenue microgrid, aiming to inject 1800kW by the end of February.
MTN South Africa has announced the energisation process of its solar renewable energy phase one project. MTN has switched on 5,418 solar panels out of the planned 9000, reaching about 50 per cent completion. This phased approach will inject 700kW into the 14th Avenue microgrid, making the head office 40 per cent less reliant on the municipal grid. The aim is to inject 1800kW by the end of February and install the battery storage facility by the end of March. With this, the telecoms company is making noteworthy strides in its Head Office Solar Renewable Energy Project at 14th Avenue.
This progress builds on the firm’s move as a standalone independent power producer (IPP), deploying five different generation technologies in a single plant at its head office in Fairlands, Johannesburg. In 2023, the firm initiated phase one of its solar renewable energy project, transforming the head office into a Solar Park with 4.9MW solar PV and 2MW battery energy. This strategic move positioned MTN as a significant IPP and promised substantial annual energy consumption savings of 9,300,000 kWh and a reduction in CO2 emissions by 9,672 tons.
The head office now boasts multiple energy sources, including the Municipal/Eskom grid, gas generators, diesel generators, solar PV, and a battery energy storage system. In addition, intelligent controllers enable dynamic energy management under various scenarios, ensuring optimal utilisation. The CEO at MTN South Africa, Charles Molapisi, said, “MTN SA set its sights on achieving Net Zero emissions by 2040, a decade ahead of industry objectives. The Solar Park, a 4.9MW solar embedded generation plant, and the groundbreaking Island Mode Project, which will see MTN leveraging a combination of gas, solar, battery and diesel technologies working in cohesion to create a microgrid, are pivotal in positioning MTN to go off the grid during load shedding.”
The anticipated completion of the Island Mode Project is set for April 2024, combining solar, battery storage, gas trigeneration, concentrated solar power, and diesel generators. “Looking ahead, MTN SA remains committed to the net-zero journey, planning subsequent phases to solidify its commitment to the SBTi pledge and achieve the 2030 target. MTN SA remains at the forefront of sustainable practices, driving positive environmental impact while embracing groundbreaking technologies,” Molapisi adds.