Nelson Mandela Bay is planning to attain about R2 billion for investment toward renewable energy projects over the next five years.
The Department of Energy was expected to release the funds soon so implementation could begin within the next few weeks. Managing Consultant of Vision People Management George Ferreira said phase 1 of a wind farm, which would produce 23 MW with a possible extension to 100 MW, was in progress with an environmental impact assessment underway expected to produce a decision by January, also announced by the state-owned Central Energy Fund on July 7 (Energy Efficient Lighting Network Planned for Nelson Mandela Bay).
An initial meeting on the Fish Water Flats biogas to energy project, set to produce 2 MW to 3 MW could take place by the end of the year. In addition, Ferreira said the combined cycle gas turbine, a JV that had been initiated between the municipality, PetroSA and the Coega Development Corporation (CDC), would produce between 800 MW and 2,400 MW.
He said other initiatives being looked at included power generation from wood waste and smart metering, for which the evaluation phase had been completed.