The first-of-its-kind – a micro-grid installation project in Alexandra, Johannesburg that will light up 500 homes – is expected to be completed before the end of March.

City Power embarked on the installation of the solar micro-grid as an implementing agent of the Gauteng Energy Response Plan, which is part of the provincial government’s commitment to renewable energy and building sustainable power generation to reduce the burden on Eskom.

The 1MVA solar grid will provide electricity to about 500 households, with some power stored in batteries for night use. If the project proves successful, it will be rolled out to 14 other rural locations around Johannesburg.

Eskom is currently piloting micro-grid technology using solar power and lithium-ion battery storage in three other sites around the country that are too remote to connect to the Eskom grid.