The Port of East London is going green, with plans to develop a solar-powered renewable energy plant at the harbour to cut crippling electricity outages and costs, while at the same time reducing emissions.
The plans were announced by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) this week, with the authority asking service providers “to design, build, test, commission, operate and maintain” a 3-megawatt (MW) solar-powered renewable plant that includes a 1.5 MWH battery energy storage system, operable for the next seven years.
The project is set to be completed in the next two years, with the remaining five years for operations and maintenance. Eligible service providers have until September to respond to the request for proposals.
The Ports Authority also announced plans to invest almost R25bn in the next five years to expand and reposition its ports, including upgrades and capacity increases to SA’s three automotive terminals in East London, Gqeberha and Durban.
East London is the preferred port for imports and exports of Mercedes-Benz as well as other vehicle importers.
Port Authority acting CEO advocate Phyllis Difeto said the development of the solar-powered plant “seeks to manage energy costs and reduce emissions by diversifying its energy mix through alternative energy sources and renewable energy”.
Difeto said the plant would include a grid-tied carport solar photovoltaic and rooftop generation system.
“The project is part of TNPA’s renewable energy purchase programme to deploy approximately 100MW across all eight South African commercial seaports.
“The implementation of this programme entrenches TNPA’s contribution towards sustainable and cost-effective ports.
“The ports authority is actively working towards climate change resilience, mitigation and adaptation by deploying cleaner and cheaper energy solutions, in line with the carbon neutral government programme, which requires public entities to be carbon neutral by 2050.”
Difeto said the Port of Ngqura in Nelson Mandela Bay was appointing a service provider for a similar project for a 7MW plant.
In April, it was reported that the port authority had awarded a R60m contract to build a solar-powered seawater desalination plant in East London, a project which was expected to create just more than 100 jobs and improve the reliability of freshwater supply to port users.
The project contract has been awarded to a joint venture: Norland Civil Engineers and Contractors and Impact Water Solutions, trading as Sun Water East London.
In June, the port authority issued three requests for proposals for the construction of two solar-powered seawater desalination plants and a renewable energy power system at its Nelson Mandela Bay ports.
BCM spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya described the plans as a “positive step”.
“The news of Transnet launching a solar power desalination plant in the port of East London must be viewed as a positive step and a much-needed investment, particularly when one looks at the amount of investment [R60m] and the impact on our economy.
“The project is anticipated to generate direct and indirect employment opportunities and this will be of positive impact to the economy of our region.
“After calling for the development of our port for so long, we appreciate the concrete steps now being taken by TNPA to invest in our port, as they are innovative, hi-tech and energy efficient.
“While by nature we are in the business of trading in electricity, meaning we would not encourage our consumers to get off our grid, we are aware that energy-efficient means of generating power can have advantages in our situation.”
Black Business Forum president Luthando Bara said the forum applauded the decision “to embrace solar energy, marking a major advancement in sustainability”.
“This initiative aligns with national goals for green-energy adoption and demonstrates a strong commitment to a sustainable future.
“The transition will significantly lower the port’s carbon footprint and support our national greenhouse gas reduction targets.
“By adopting solar power, the port will lessen its dependence on fossil fuels and ease the strain on the electricity grid, thereby improving energy security.”
Border Kei Chamber of Business director Lizelle Maurice said the plant was the way to go as it would reduce the overall costs of doing business and operations at the port.
Maurice hoped the port would contribute its excess solar energy power to the metro energy mix to help reduce costs of electricity in the city.
Opening the legislature in Bhisho last week, premier Oscar Mabuyane said his administration would ramp up sustainable energy infrastructure to ensure a reliable supply of electricity to grow the economy.
Mabuyane said his government believed “the future of the energy sector is clean energy” and that “we are in the thick of things to become a major player in its development, supply and distribution”.
The closing date for submissions for the solar plant is September 16, with a compulsory briefing for interested bidders scheduled for August 20, according to bid documents seen by the Dispatch.
Attempts to get further details from East London Port manager Sphiwe Mthembu were unsuccessful by the time of publication. — Additional reporting by BusinessLIVE
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