Airports Company SA (Acsa) launched its second solar power plant at Kimberley Airport in the Northern Cape last Friday.
Jabu Khambule, general manager of Acsa's regional airports, said the R13.5m investment in Kimberley was “significant” in terms of SA's developmental imperative regarding energy security.
It is estimated that the solar plant will save the airport R65 000 per month. Acsa plans to generate 42% of its energy use from renewables by 2030.
The solar farm is located on 0.7 hectares of land within the airport precinct and uses an 11kV substation as it main source of supply, which is also located on the airport’s land. The plant is designed to deliver 500 KW of peak production per year.
The completion of the solar power plant at Kimberley Airport forms part of Airports Company South Africa’s broader plan to install solar farms at all of its six regional airports. Plants at George, Kimberley and Upington Airports have already been completed and commissioned.
The other three remaining regional airports are Port Elizabeth International Airport, East London Airport and Bram Fischer International Airport in Bloemfontein.
