Metro looks to obtain energy security
City signs agreement to unlock renewable energy wheeling in Ekurhuleni.
The City of Ekurhuleni has signed a landmark agreement with Teraco to unlock renewable energy wheeling in the metro.
Teraco is Africa’s leading interconnection hub and data centre company. The City of Ekurhuleni is host to the Teraco Hyperscale Data Centre, which has a 38MW of critical power load in Ekurhuleni.
Wheeling is the act of transporting electricity from a generator to a geographically distant end-user through the use of an existing distribution or transmission system.
Wheeling removes potential barriers to significant scale in that renewable energy projects don’t have to be developed and built near the end user where ground or roof space is scarce.
It also enables the deployment of renewable energy projects in high energy yield but low environmental and social impact areas.
Also read: City adjusts free basic electricity to 50kwh in line with national policy
“The multi-party coalition government is committed to repositioning Ekurhuleni as the epicentre of sustainable urban development and renewable energy generation in the province,” said Ekurhuleni mayor Tania Campbell.
“As a member of C40 Cities Network, we strive to make meaningful progress towards reducing our dependency on Eskom and directing the city towards a net-zero future.”
This milestone agreement provides Teraco with much-needed certainty for its investment in two 100 MW utility-scale solar power generation projects.
It also enables the company to discuss power purchase agreements to procure renewable energy from independent power producers.
The multi-party coalition government invites the Ekurhuleni business community to engage the city, through the energy department, on potential renewable energy wheeling prospects and other sustainable energy initiatives that may support energy security in the city.
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