ACSA opens first solar-powered airport in Western Cape

Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) has opened its first solar power plant at Western Cape, George Airport.

The clean energy project in the first phase will contribute around 40% of the airport’s electricity needs. Once the project is completed, the airport is expected to be totally independent of the national grid.

Launching the solar power plant at Western Cape,George Airport- Transport Minister Dipuo Peters said “solar airport project demonstrates the South African government’s commitment to clean energy generation and sustainability, as well as to our country’s increasingly prominent role when it comes to global climate change issues”.

The airport plant will produce electricity by capturing energy from sun tapped through photo-voltaic panels which are installed at cost of million dollars.

Last year in August Cochin International Airport at the cost of $9.5 million became the world’s first ever solar-powered airport.