Name of the Project
Project Blue Oval renewable-energy programme.

Location
Ford Motor Company Southern Africa’s (FMCSA’s) Silverton assembly plant, in Pretoria, South Africa.

Project Owner/s
The project is a partnership between FMSCA and SolarAfrica.

Project Description
FMCSA has embarked on a pioneering solar energy project for its Silverton assembly plant as part of its vision to develop an integrated renewable-energy solution – which will include biomass, biogas, biosynthetic gas, 100% water recycling and zero waste to landfill – making it one of the very first Ford plants in the world to achieve this status.

The project will comprise a 13.5 MW solar installation for the facility, which will deliver an esti­mated 30% of the Silverton plant’s yearly power requirements. This involves installing specially developed and locally manufactured solar photovoltaic carports throughout the facility using more than 31 000 solar panels.

Covering parking bays for about 4 200 vehicles, it will be one of the biggest solar carports in the world.

The Silverton plant produces the Ford Ranger, Ranger Raptor and Everest for the domestic market and more than 100 global export markets.

Potential Job Creation
The project will initially create 100 jobs. During the next phases, which are being investigated, the introduction of biomass as a source of renewable energy and the outsourced farming of fermentable biomass plants in rural areas will create opportunities for 2 400 people.

Capital Expenditure
R135-million.

Planned Start/End Date
Ford aims to have the plant entirely ‘green’ and energy self-sufficient by 2024 at which time the Silverton assembly plant will no longer rely on the national power grid or any municipal services.

Latest Developments
None stated.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
FMCSA corporate communications manager Dudu Nxele, tel +27 12 842 2337 or email dnxele@ford.com.