The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality in South Africa has broken ground on a 25-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic project with energy storage at its Fresh Produce Market, marking a significant step in the municipality’s efforts to expand renewable energy generation and improve electricity security. The project forms part of the broader Ekurhuleni Independent Power Producer (IPP) Programme, which aims to diversify the region’s energy supply and reduce dependence on the national electricity utility, Eskom.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by South Africa’s Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, and Ekurhuleni Mayor, Dr Nkosindiphile Xhakaza. The initiative follows a Ministerial Determination issued under the Electricity Regulation Act, which authorises the municipality to procure electricity generation capacity from independent power producers.
Under this regulatory approval, Ekurhuleni can procure up to 2,400 MW of generation capacity from various energy sources, including solar power, natural gas, waste-to-energy and other technologies. The allocation represents the largest approved municipal energy procurement capacity in South Africa, positioning the metropolitan municipality to play a significant role in the country’s evolving electricity sector.
The newly launched 25 MW solar photovoltaic facility is expected to supply clean electricity to the local power network, supporting industrial and manufacturing activities across the region. Industrial centres, including Springs, are among the areas expected to benefit from a more reliable electricity supply. The initiative is intended to strengthen energy availability for businesses and support continued industrial operations.
Municipal leaders expect the wider IPP programme to attract billions of rands in infrastructure investment and create employment opportunities for local communities. The development is also aimed at improving the region’s economic competitiveness by providing industries with access to locally generated electricity and reducing exposure to electricity supply disruptions.
The municipality anticipates that its broader energy procurement strategy could deliver substantial savings on bulk electricity purchases over the next 20 years. These savings could help ease electricity cost pressures for households and businesses, although the extent of any tariff reductions will depend on project costs, procurement arrangements and how the benefits are passed on to consumers.
The programme is part of Ekurhuleni’s long-term strategy to improve energy security, expand renewable energy capacity and strengthen economic resilience. With regulatory authorisation secured and several projects progressing towards financial closure, the municipality is advancing its plans to diversify electricity sources and support sustainable development.
The 25 MW solar and storage project represents an important step towards building a more reliable, diversified and locally supported energy system in Ekurhuleni.
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