This year saw South Africa launching many major infrastructure projects. In this two part article we will take a look at some of them.

The Jasper Solar Power Project

The 96 megawatt (MW) photovoltaic (PV) Jasper solar power project, which is located in South Africa’s Northern Cape, went live in November this year.

With over 325 000 PV modules, the project is expected to deliver 180 000 megawatt-hours of renewable electricity annually for South Africa residents – enough to power up to 80 000 households – through a 20-year power purchase agreement with South African power utility company, Eskom.

A re Yeng – Tshwane Rapid Transit System

The Tshwane Rapid Transit (TRT), also known as A Re Yeng, officially went online in November this year. While the construction of bus stops and dedicated lanes in some areas is still in progress, the bus service will be rolled out in phases.

Phase 1 consists of 68 kilometres of dedicated median bus lanes, 52 stations, three depots and four terminuses.

The City of Tshwane started the construction of the R2.6 billion TRT system in Arcadia, Hatfield, in July 2012. Once completed, the TRT system will consist of a total of 80 kilometres of bus lines, 62 stations and will run from Mabopane through Pretoria CBD, past Menlyn and on to Mamelodi.

The system will consist of about 340 buses, some of which will be powered by gas.

City Deep housing project

In December this year the Johannesburg Executive Mayor, Parks Tau officially launched the 708-unit City Deep social housing development.

This ongoing project which boasts roads, pedestrian walkways, gardens and other amenities, and is expected to be completed by May next year. It entails transforming the old segregated dormitories into a contemporary living space in a safe and secure environment.

You can view Part 1 of this post here.