Gqeberha is on the verge of a transformative energy shift as construction is set to commence in the coming months at Nelson Mandela Bay’s first solar farm.
The site is progressing well and its geology is currently being tested to allow developers to settle on the best design and construction.
Engineering firm SRK has been contracted by Parsons Power Park developers RAW Renewables and Natura Energy to do the work and the firm is preparing an interpretive report to submit to the developers.
The Eastern Cape department of economic development, environmental affairs and tourism has approved the Parsons Vlei development which, when completed, will generate 150MW.
SRK was contracted to test the 100ha section of the site, which will carry the first phase, or 50MW, of the new solar plant.
Brent Cock, principal engineering geologist in SRK’s Gqeberha office, said his team was checking the subsurface conditions and the suitability of the soil for engineering work.
“We were also asked to investigate the excavatability of the site, as well as groundwater and seepage conditions.
“We also checked for any problematic soils, and looked at foundation conditions to make appropriate recommendations for the project’s design and construction.”
He said to do this they excavated 24 test pits across the site so they could expose and analyse the ground profile.
Samples of disturbed soil were collected and tested by a soil-testing laboratory.
“This gives us insight into aspects such as the particle size distribution, including clay content where it occurs, as well as moisture content and the potential for corrosion of buried concrete and steel.”
He said his team had found that the site was underlain by suitable material.
“Both piled foundations and concrete plinth foundations will be suitable for the support of the PV panels.”
Parsons Power Park is a joint venture between Natura Energy, Silikhaya Properties, RAW Renewables and the Jansen van Rensburg family who own the overall 597ha site.
Speaking at the launch of the Parsons Power Park in March, Parsons Power Park executive director Ezio Vernutti said the project would improve the availability of electricity to the Bay, and the renewable energy generated would be especially attractive to Bay exporters who were bound by international targets to combat climate change.
He said another benefit would be the price as there would be a discount on the current price of Eskom electricity from the metro grid.
Vernetti said the R2.7bn plant would help Bay business to stay competitive while at the same time triggering new investment and thereby creating new jobs and boosting economic growth.
The first phase would not include storage, but if load-shedding came in daylight hours it would be reduced by one level.
He said in future phases there would be storage, so even if load-shedding happened at night, the extra megawatts going into the system from the plant would reduce the level.
“Overall, this project will not solve load-shedding, but it will make a significant positive difference.”
A key element of Parsons Power Park is the 160ha which will be formally declared as a nature reserve to protect the resident Rowallan Park grassy fynbos and birds like black harrier, which are threatened by illegal dumping, cattle grazing and alien vegetation.
The project outreach team has also committed to upliftment of the nearby Kuyga community through recycling initiatives.
HeraldLIVE
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