Publication date: 13th November 2019
Submission date: 29th November 2019
Category: Consultancy
Country: South Africa
Entity: UNDP Country Office
Description: The Eastern Cape (EC) Province of South Africa (SA) and the Lower Saxony State of Germany have been engaged in a longstanding twinning partnership. As part of this twinning arrangement, a mini-grid pilot project was initiated in order to electrify the small village of Upper Blinkwater (UB) in the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality. With careful attention to the demand requirements of the village, the mini-grid power system was developed and includes a 75 kWp photovoltaic (PV) system, 370 kWh battery storage, and a 20 kW backup diesel generator (400 l diesel storage) – all with an integrated vending system, smart meters and demand side management interface. Currently, the UB mini-grid project does not include any wind power. The EC Government, through the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, expressed an interest in collaborating with South Africa Wind Energy Project (SAWEP), Phase 2 to add the wind component into the UB mini-grid project.
