Africa’s first solar powered desalination plant has successfully produced more than 10 million litres of drinkable water.

The plant, which is located in the Hessequa Municipality, has been providing water to the drought stricken community of Witsand since December 20^th 2018.

According to Turnkey Water Solutions (TWS), the water management specialists who control the Osmosun plant remotely, it is currently producing an average of 150 kilolitres of drinkable water per day, with two-thirds of the production from solar energy only and at a very competitive price.

Wesgro CEO, Tim Harris says it is an outstanding achievement that the desalination plant is already producing 10 000 kiloliters of drinkable water within just two months of operation.

“The installation further endorses that Cape Town and the Western Cape has successfully emerged as a water resilient destination and a world leader in sustainability. A resilient destination is even more attractive to tourists and investors alike, and therefore, a key component of our economic promotion of the destination now and into the future” he adds.

The project, which was co-funded by the French Treasury and the Western Cape Province, was developed and completed in less than 18 months by TWS and water treatment specialists, Mascara Renewable Water with the assistance of local consultants and contractors.

While the plant is remotely controlled by TWS and Mascara Renewable Water, municipality’s staff has been trained and is fully empowered to operate the plant’s day-to-day activities. All data is made public via the municipal website for full transparency (www.hessequa.gov.za)