| Hydro energy |
Read moreFind out more about EDC projectsRelated storiesRead the CaBEERE project summary on the Bethlehem Hydro project on the DME website [PDF, 324KB]Useful linksNuPlanetThere are only two hydro-electricity stations in South Africa. The total installed capacity for hydro in the country is 687MW. Having an average rainfall of 500mm, South Africa has small hydropower potential, estimated to be around 5,160MW. Bethlehem Hydro projectThe Energy Development Corporation (EDC) has signed a shareholders agreement with NuPlanet, a Dutch project development and management company active in the sustainable energy sector. The parties have joined up to establish one of the first independent power producer (IPP) to generate electricity from a mini-hydro scheme. Both organisations have created an entity known as Bethlehem Hydro that will be the joint venture entity driving the power generation process. The Bethlehem Hydro project shareholders agreement was signed during the minister's visit on 3 May 2005. The project has a strong female BEE component. The Development Bank of South Africa has approved a loan amount of R30-million towards the project. Bethlehem Hydro will comprise the development, ownership and operation of a 3.9MW hydro IPP. The project will supply the equivalent of 10 to 20 percent of Bethlehem's power needs at a tariff competitive to that of Eskom. The power plant will utilise the water flow in the As River and the Saulspoort dam site, which originates from the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, which is artificially fed and not seasonally dependant. Bethlehem Hydro will generate income by selling electrical power. The plant comprises two separate generation sites:
Annual power production is 28.6GWh, which is equivalent to R4,5-million worth of electricity will be purchased from the Bethlehem Hydro IPP a year. By 2013, the project would have contributed about 2.3 percent towards the government’s 10 000GWh renewable energy target. The job creation potential of the project is split into the construction period and the operational period. During the 12 to 18 months of construction, it is estimated that the project will create employment for 40 skilled staff and about 100 to 160 unskilled staff. The unskilled staff will be recruited in the Bethlehem area and preference will be given to employing members of previously disadvantaged groups, including women. NuPlanet will also act as business manager for Bethlehem Hydro with technical operations contracted to an engineering firm based in Bethlehem. Read the CaBEERE project summary on the Bethlehem Hydro project on the DME website [PDF, 324KB] |
2.2MW - run of river site located on the As River; and