A new solar off-grid rural electrification project was officially unveiled today at Winterveldt Sports Ground, northwest of Pretoria, by Gauteng Economic Development MEC Qedani Mahlangu.
The solar electrification project was initiated by The Innovation Hub in an effort with the City of Tshwane to provide solar electricity to 50 rural homes.
The installation, which began in February this year and was completed yesterday, harnesses enough solar energy to power lights inside and outside the homes, two plug points for small appliances, solar water heaters for hot water and a gas stove and gas cylinders for cooking.
The Innovation Hub is a subsidiary of Blue IQ Investment Holdings, which is an agency of the Gauteng Department of Economic Development.
Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Qedani Mahlangu, says the project is aimed at providing an enabling environment for economic development by addressing the socio-economic conditions of Gauteng communities. “Many of those who now have solar power are unemployed or are pensioners who survive on grants. The recipients also include people with disabilities, so this project will have a massive impact on their quality of life,” she says.
The project is in line with the government's target of installing at least one million solar water heaters by 2014 to reduce the water heating load on the national grid. “In addition, solar energy installations will generate employment and contribute to Gauteng's Green Economy by mitigating climate change, contributing to clean energy generation, security and self-efficiency,” says Mahlangu.
McLean Sibanda, The Innovation Hub CEO, says the installation aims to address the significant challenges of broad access to electricity and energy security in Gauteng. “There are significant resource constraints to delivering electricity. As The Innovation Hub, we are pleased to be involved in this project,” says Sibanda.
The project has the potential to generate five temporary jobs with each system installation. Five people from the Windterveld community underwent training for the implementation process. “Solar energy has been identified by the Gauteng government as an obvious renewable energy source with the potential to satisfy much of the province's domestic energy needs. This project provides one model for the provision of sustainable power to households in Gauteng,” explains Sibanda.
There are further opportunities to increase local skills related to the maintenance and operation of tasks that are not automated.
South Africa is highly dependent on fossil fuels for its electricity generation and other energy needs. In line with South Africa's stance on sustainable development and climate change in particular; fundamental changes and adjustments are needed in energy generation and energy provision. As the third highest energy consumer, household electricity generation is an important target to assist in the achievement of the provinces' goal of obtaining 7% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2014, and 16% by 2025.
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Blue IQ
Blue IQ Investment Holdings is an implementation agency of the Gauteng Provincial Government through the Department of Economic Development. Launched in 2003, Blue IQ facilitates strategic economic infrastructure for the province, to position Gauteng as the gateway into Africa and the economic powerhouse of the continent, while addressing poverty alleviation, imperatives of the green economy and sustainable job creation.
Blue IQ identifies projects that are innovative, unique, smart and a catalyst for further development and job creation. These projects are developed to the point where they become self-sustainable and can be handed over to other partners. The agency was responsible for flagship projects such as the Gautrain, Newtown and the Nelson Mandela Bridge, the Cradle of Humankind, Constitution Hill, the Automotive Industry Development Centre and the Supplier Park Development Company.
For more information, visit www.blueiq.co.za or contact Stephen Watson, Group Executive: Marketing, Communications & Events, 011 689 1600.
The Innovation Hub
The Innovation Hub (TIH), a Blue IQ subsidiary, is Africa's first internationally accredited Science Park and a full member of the International Association of Science Parks (IASP). The leading knowledge-intensive business cluster in South Africa, TIH is strategically located in Tshwane - South Africa's executive capital - in the 'smart' Province of Gauteng. TIH implements the initiatives identified in the Gauteng Innovation Strategy and Green Economy strategy to advance the economic development and growth of the province through innovation.
The Innovation Hub has created a unique space for hi-tech entrepreneurs, world-class businesses, academics, researchers and venture capitalists to meet, network and prosper.
For more information, please visit www.theinnovationhub.com.
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