The 312 000-panel Kalkbult Solar PV plant in Kimberley has become the first independent renewable producer to be built, completed and get connected to the grid in South Africa. When the project officially starts putting power into the grid, South Africa can finally begin a journey to low carbon energy production.The 75MW project will produce in excess of 135 million kWh per year, enough to power roughly 33 000 South African households. Getting this power from a renewable source means we’re putting 115 000 fewer tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually than we would be if this were a dirty fossil fuel plant.While the plant could produce more power, the Department of Energy limits the production of this and other solar plants. They cannot allow renewable energy on the grid at its fullest because the grid infrastructure is out of date. But renewable energy’s potential in South Africa is far greater than is currently being allowed.Renewable energy could, in fact, account for 49% of South Africa’s energy production by 2030, instead of the 9% that the government is currently planning. The Kalkbult project was finished three months ahead of schedule, declaring 750 000 accident-free hours. With a labour force composed of 16% women, the project created more than 500 jobs in the area.