GAUTENG Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, aims to light up 14 townships with solar power before the end of his term.
Lesufi declared this on Sunday, 18 February, during a walkabout visit to the solar and gas turbines projects implemented by City Power. This forms part of the Gauteng Energy Response Plan in Alexandra, north of Jozi.
The Megawatt solar power plant is expected to supply electricity to 500 households in Alex.
“Our solar farm is ready to light up portions of Alex. By the end of this political term, 14 other townships will be off the grid as we add additional power,” Lesufi said.
The premier pleaded with abahlali to protect the infrastructure.
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"If you allow this investment to be vandalised after so much work and resources have been put into it, we won't come back and repair it. We have other communities that are equally in need of such a facility,” Lesufi said.
MMC Jack Sekwaila thanked the premier's office for the vision and investment in the energy sector.
He said the solar micro-grid, among other initiatives, will go a long way in stimulating the provincel and the city’s economy.
“We understand the circumstances Alex people live under. Some of them were illegally connected while others had no electricity at all, hence we came up with this project called Micro-grid. What people need from us is electricity. A three-month project happened in one month and we appreciate that,” Sekwaila said.
City Power Board chairman, Bonolo Ramokhele, said the solar grids have been enabled to also accommodate charging stations for electricity-powered vehicles.
“Partnering with automotive businesses in the area that produce electric cars could significantly benefit the township's economy," he said.
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