The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has opened bids to interested parties, for construction of two 500KWp photovoltaic (PV) solar plants at the upcoming Upington and Kimberley airports. The contractor will be tasked with design and installation.
According to the General Manager of ACSA regional airports, Yvette Schoeman, the company has a plan to install solar plants in the six regional airports in the next three to five years so that they can be self-sufficient.
Schoeman also noted that the use of renewable energy will help reduce environmental pollution through decrease of carbon release.
The solar plant projects are long-term and would take 5 to 15 years with the roll out of each project being done in phases.
Other airports in the ACSA’s business unit include Bram Fischer International airport located in Bloemfontein, George Airport, Port Elizabeth International Airport and East London Airport.
The Upington Airport solar PV plant bid will close on March 2, while the one for Kimberley Airport Solar PV plant closes in March 5.
A contractor has already been appointed by ACSA to install a 750KWp solar PV plant at the George Airport with building expected to begin in two months’ time. Feasibility studies for implementation at the airports would begin in 2016.
