The energisation process for the 50 MW Droogfontein solar power photovoltaic project was set to kick off on October 6, in line with the closure of Transnet’s Kimberley railway line from October 1 to 10.
The project, which is being built as part of the first window of government's Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme, was expected to generate power and feed into the Eskom grid later this year.
Energisation was a critical milestone for the project, as it allowed for the import of electricity to complete the commissioning of the solar plant equipment and for the export of power back to the grid, explained Droogfontein solar power project manager Kevin Foster.
“We will be feeding into the same traction line that supplies Transnet with power, so it makes sense for us to bring our project’s energisation forward to coincide with the railway line’s shutdown,” he added.
The process would not impact businesses or residents of the Sol Plaatje local municipality.