The Afrikaner-only town, Orania in the Northern Cape has begun generating its own power supply. The self-governing town has a solar farm which helps them not rely South Africa’s embattled power utility Eskom.
With the continuous rolling blackouts, residents at Orania hope to be completely free from Eskom within the next five years. Orania’s end goal is to be completely free from Eskom, as the price of electricity continues to increase and load shedding seems to get worse. Through their own solar panel farm called Orasol, they hope to be independent by 2027.
The town has completed phase one of its renewable energy plans, which is generating 20% of the town’s electricity demands. The town is also independent from its Thembelihle Municipality.
Leader of the Orania Movement Joost Strydom said the plan started long before the implementation of the rolling blackouts. He said they currently have enough solar to service 30% of the community.
“The idea of our own solar farm- Orasol, was the first and important step we took. 2,500 people have to take responsibility of their own community, and electricity is own of them.”
The first phase of the solar farm project which cost R10.5 million did nit come from the government. The money came from the residents and Orania supporters. “We have created a solar farm which now serves 30% of the community with energy. That is the first phase. On a quiet afternoon or a quiet Sunday, we actually produce more electricity than the town needs,” said Strydom.
Whilst the rest of the country grapples with the constant power cuts, the town says it hopes to protect its residents from the challenges caused by the blackouts. Ora Sol Project leader, Riaan Jacobs explains.
“To get Orania totality off the grid we need approximately 4 to 5 Megawatts bigger plant. Maybe not as big at this stage because we plan to use Eskom at night. At the moment it is from 6am to 10pm so we don’t have to build 4 to 5 Megawatts right now.”
The recently completed phase one project generates 841 kilowatts, which powers 200 homes.