George Airport becomes Africa’

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George Airport becomes Africa’s first solar-powered airport

George Airport has become Africa’s first, and currently the only regional airport in South Africa, to be powered by solar energy.

George Airport becomes Africa’

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Airports Company South Africa launched its first 200 square meter solar power plant at George Airport on Friday. The airport will be completely functional without the country’s electricity grid as the installation of photo-voltaic panels will generate sufficient electricity to harnessing energy from the sun.

The solar plant cost R16 million and took six months to complete and finished two months ahead of schedule.

The project us currently in its first phase and the lone solar plant will supply 41% of the airport’s current energy demand, while the balance will be drawn from the national grid with supply capacity steadily being increased. The plant is designed to deliver 750Kw power to the airport once completed.

Through photovoltaic (PV) technology, solar radiation is converted into electricity. The technology effectively generates electricity from solar radiation.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the plant, Skhumbuzo Macozoma, Chairman of the Airports Company South Africa Board said the company will introduce an energy mix into all its airports and its long term vision, from 2025 -2030, is to achieve carbon neutrality in energy consumption and run Green Airports in order to achieve a Green Building Council of South Africa 6 star rating.

“As an airports management company running nine airports nationally, part of our strategic objective is to minimise our environmental impact. There are a number of key drivers Airports Company South Africa needs to manage to reach this objective and these include reducing energy consumption, water consumption, percentage of waste recycled, noise levels and energy efficient materials usage, amongst others.

“Harnessing solar power is a viable cleaner energy source which contributes towards diversifying the energy mix. This plant will ensure that the airport is self-sustaining in terms of its power needs and will eventually extend to the broader community within the George municipality.”