Mossel Bay Municipality is proud to announce its recognition
as the winner of the Top Performing Project Award in the category for Metro or
Municipal Utilities at the prestigious AMEU
Awards 2025. This accolade honours the Municipality’s ground-breaking 2MVA Solar
PV System with Battery Energy Storage (BESS) at the Hartenbos Regional
Wastewater Treatment Works - a strategic infrastructure project valued at over
R100 million.
Association of Municipal Electricity Utilities (AMEU), a
South African body for municipal electricity utilities and their affiliate
members, recognizing excellence in the electricity sector. These awards are
presented annually to highlight achievements, innovation, and contributions
within the industry and are often awarded at the association's annual
convention.
The award celebrates innovation, resilience, and
forward-thinking governance in the face of South Africa’s energy crisis.
Designed to safeguard critical wastewater operations against Stage 6
loadshedding, the hybrid solar installation ensures uninterrupted service
delivery, even in the event of a national blackout. Excess energy generated is
exported to the municipal grid, contributing to long-term cost savings and
environmental sustainability.
“This project is a testament to Mossel Bay’s commitment to
energy security, environmental stewardship, and service excellence,” said the
Municipal Manager, Colin Puren. “We are honoured to be recognised for a
solution that not only protects vital infrastructure but also empowers our
community.”
The project was executed in partnership with Element Eden
Consulting Engineers as the electrical engineering consultant and Solareff as
the appointed EPC contractor. The installation spans 3.5 hectares and includes
4,400 solar panels, a 3.2MVA inverter station, and a 4,500kWh battery energy
storage system. The system is grid-tied at 11kV and features advanced control
systems for seamless switching between grid-tied, islanding, and energy
arbitrage modes.
The initiative was born out of urgent need during the peak
of loadshedding in 2022 and 2023, when Council prioritised energy resilience
for water and sanitation services. A feasibility study and business case were
prepared to secure loan funding, with capital break-even projected at 10 years
and a 25-year operational lifespan. The installation not only ensures continued
wastewater treatment during outages but also reduces the average cost of bulk
electricity over time.
Environmental impact was minimal, as the site is municipal
property zoned for utility use. All necessary environmental approvals were
obtained. Social impact is most evident during prolonged Eskom outages, when
the system enables uninterrupted service delivery and prevents environmental
issues.
The project reflects Mossel Bay’s values of good governance,
skills development, and environmental responsibility. Maintenance strategies
include condition-based cleaning using treated effluent, standardised inverter
types for ease of servicing, and long-term planning for battery replacement.
Skills transfer during the operations and maintenance period will empower
municipal teams to manage the facility independently.
Future expansion is already planned, with environmental
authorisation secured for a solar panel area double the current size, allowing
for potential growth to 5MVA capacity. The project adds to the industry body of
knowledge by demonstrating the successful integration of solar PV,
utility-scale BESS, and smart control systems in a municipal setting.
