Powering Progress: George Municipality's Electrifying Evolution

In the heart of its urban transformation, George's Municipality has evolved its journey of electrification from that of a town to one of a thriving city. With a steadfast commitment to innovative strategies and sustainable energy solutions, the municipality is not only addressing challenges like load shedding but is also charting a course towards a greener and more energy-resilient future.

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Load Shedding Strategy and Consumption Reduction:

George Municipality has tackled the pressing issue of load shedding head-on. Through a multifaceted strategy, the municipality is working to reduce its own energy consumption. This includes ambitious initiatives like the retrofitting of all street lights and traffic lights with energy-efficient LEDs, ensuring uninterrupted power supply with UPS-equipped traffic lights lasting up to 4 hours, and implementing ripple controls for geysers. These initiatives are projected to reduce consumption by approximately 4 MW.

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Self-Generated Solar Power for Consumption:

One of the cornerstones of George's electrification journey is its embrace of solar energy. The civic centre boasts a 300 kWp solar photovoltaic (PV) plant commissioned in September 2021. This innovative project, with a capital cost of R 7.6 million, not only supplies power to the municipal building but also feeds surplus energy back into the grid. By June 2023, a battery backup will further enhance this solar setup.

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Expanding PV Plants for Greater Energy Independence:

George Municipality's commitment to self-generation extends beyond the civic centre. The construction of PV plants at various buildings and sites, including wastewater treatment works (WwTW) and water treatment works (WTW), is underway. With an estimated capital cost of R 28 million and a projected capacity of approximately 2.7 MW, these plants are set to be commissioned over the next 12 months, enhancing the city's energy independence.

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Feeding Power Back into the Grid:

George Municipality is poised to become a net contributor to the grid with its solar energy initiatives. A 1 MWp solar plant, already under construction, is set to be commissioned by the end of September 2023. This step forward will be followed by a larger 9 MWp solar plant, commissioned by the end of November 2024, contingent upon environmental impact assessments (EIA) and secured funding. This ambitious endeavour, with a projected capital cost of R 200 million, aims to exempt the city from Stage 1 and 2 load shedding.

Aiming Higher: Future Solar Ambitions:

George Municipality's electrification vision extends into the future with even larger solar ventures. An upcoming 30 MWp solar plant, anticipated for December 2025, stands as a testament to the municipality's commitment to energy resilience. With a projected capital cost of R 550 million and featuring a substantial 100 MWh battery storage, this venture aims to exempt George from Stages 1 to 4 of load shedding, marking a significant stride towards energy self-sufficiency and grid stability.

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George Municipality's electrifying evolution is a tale of strategic foresight, technological innovation, and a steadfast commitment to sustainability. Through reducing energy consumption, harnessing solar power, and actively contributing to the grid, George is not only mitigating challenges but also shaping a brighter and more resilient future for its community. As the city continues to surge forward, its electrification journey serves as an inspiring example of how urban centres can lead the charge towards a more sustainable and electrifying future.