NEWCASTLE – In October this year, Newcastle will take a step into a future of cheaper electricity.
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A collaboration between the municipality, and United Kingdom-based Northumbria Energy will bear fruit with the arrival of the Z-LYNK later in the year.
This advanced system is hoped to be the solution to escalating electricity costs.
“In simple terms, the Z-LYNK technology will help Newcastle control the electricity grid, for the benefit of all residents and businesses,” explained Tim Cantle-Jones, CEO of both Northumbria Energy and the Future Energy Group.
Mr Cantle-Jones said the technology helped prevent load-shedding and reduced peak time load, to reduce the cost of electricity.
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The first Z-LYNK transmitters and receivers will be installed on the local grid in October.
Mr Cantle-Jones met with former Mayor, Afzul Rehman and Director of Economic Development, Ferdie Alberts in February this year, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding.
He said both men were delighted Northumbria Energy had chosen to partner with Newcastle.
“The meeting with officials from Newcastle Municipality resulted from our mutual collaboration through ‘Newcastles of the World’. I have been to Newcastle, KwaZulu- Natal on a number of occasions, and we are thrilled our main programme activity in South Africa will be in Newcastle.”
Mr Cantle-Jones himself, has worked in South Africa for over 25 years, despite being based in the United Kingdom.
Northumbria Energy is also engaged with the Johannesburg University.
Mr Cantle-Jones added the Durban Metropolitan believed every municipality in the country ‘can significantly benefit from this technology’.
“Through Northumbria Energy, we hope to bring affordable electricity to communities throughout Africa, and to help make load-shedding a thing of the past.”
