SPS to Power Limpopo Water Project

October 21, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes

Key Figures & Findings: Sustainable Power Solutions (SPS), a key player in renewable energy, has secured a major contract to provide a solar PV and battery energy storage system (BESS) for the Olifants Management Model Programme (OMMP) in Limpopo, South Africa. This program, led by the Lebalelo Water User Association (LWUA), aims to improve water access for over 140,000 people while supporting mining operations. SPS will install a 16 MWp solar system in Phase 2B and expand to 23 MWp over 10 years. Bertus Bierman, CEO of LWUA, emphasized SPS’s expertise in renewable energy, which will power key infrastructure like pump stations for 25 years.

Statistics & Insights: The project will include a 13.3 MWh BESS to provide reliable power to three pump stations, reducing the need for diesel generators and lowering carbon emissions by over 13 million kilograms annually. The OMMP aims to  address a 30 ML/day water shortage in Polokwane and will ultimately contribute to the creation of 42,000 jobs.

Future Implications: This renewable energy solution could significantly impact water distribution and energy sustainability in Limpopo. Also, SPS's success in delivering reliable off-grid energy solutions for large-scale infrastructure projects could pave the way for similar initiatives across Africa.