City of Cape Town municipality looks to better understand renewable technologies

A delegation of City of Cape Town (COCT) councillors, led by the City’s Portfolio Committee Chairperson for Energy, Councillor Zimkhitha Sulelo, visited Klipheuwel Wind Farm, in the Western Cape’s Overberg region. This educational trip was intended to help the City’s Energy Portolio Committee members better understand renewable energy technologies.

“As we look at options to end load shedding over time and as we assess our diversification opportunities, members of the City of Cape Town’s Energy Portfolio Committee are building their capacity to understand the technologies that will contribute to the shifts required,” said Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Councillor Beverley van Reenen.

This City’s Energy Directorate is mandated to increased energy resilience through the diversification of energy sources and reduction in energy demand; identify and unblock barriers to change for the adoption of innovative energy services and energy system transition; and ensure that decision-making in the energy system is underpinned by a strong evidence base.

Attendees included: Cllr. Zimkhitha Sulelo, Chairperson of the Energy Portfolio Committee; Cllr. Traverse Le Goff; Cllr. Tami Jackson; Cllr. Phindile Maxiti; Cllr. Morne Joseph; Cllr. Miquette Temlett; Cllr. Mark Kleinschmidt and Cllr. Gregory Peck

The 27 MW Klipheuwel Wind Farm is one of the first wind farms arising from the South African Government’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).

Klipheuwel Wind Farm, covering over 350 hectares, is is located 5km west of Caledon, in the Overberg region of the Western Cape, in the Theewaterskloof Local Municipality. With demand for electricity continuing to grow in South Africa, the introduction of clean energy projects such as this, have far reaching benefits for the country’s power sector, economy and people. Furthermore, the local communities in the vicinity of the wind farm benefit from from Enterprise Development and Socio Economic Development contributions; Community Trust ownership; as well as Employment and Procurement opportunities.