History will be made this week when Ekurhuleni launches the first and only solar plant of its kind in the country. The solar power plant produces about 200 kW of electricity through 860 PV (photovoltaic) solar panels on 2 500 m² of land generating enough energy to power about 133 low cost houses.

The Executive Mayor Mondli Gungubela and member of the mayoral committee on water and energy Aubrey Nxumalo will launch this flagship project tomorrow morning at 09h00 at the OR Tambo precinct in Wattville.

According to Gungubele, “This technology is the future in terms of saving the consumption of electricity, taking advantage of the sun as well as keeping our planet green and healthy, which has healthy benefits to us as well. We have declared October as the OR Tambo Month and we know in his struggles – he had poor people in mind. This will go a long way in relieving the surging costs of electricity for the poor.”

Ekurhuleni has an energy strategy that looks for proactive promotion of green and sustainable power as the key to create a sustainable future for the municipality. This step supports that strategy and goes a long way to fulfill it.

The OR Tambo precinct, worth R140 million has been constructed by using environmentally friendly methods including specialised techniques like rammed earth, straw-bale and cob wall construction, green roof technology, thermal mass earth flooring.

The development boasts the following facilities:

• Environmental Centre – where environmental education will be conducted;
• OR Tambo Narrative Centre – this will house the new Oliver Tambo exhibition;
• Multi-purpose Arts and Crafts workshops – a space for crafters to produce, exhibit and sell their goods;
• Outdoor Amphitheatre – for performing artists to showcase their talent.
Ekurhuleni has, of late, launched several green initiatives an should be lauded for their efforts to improve sustainability and implement strategies which are in line with the environmental policies in the country.