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Countering crisis through good governance The Southern Cape capital of George is one of the country’s top semigration destinations, not least because of its well-run local government.
George Municipality ranked third in the latest Municipal Financial Sustainability Index (MFSI), which rates the 112 largest municipalities and eight metros, out of 257 municipalities in total. The MFSI assesses municipalities and metros on a scale of one to 100, based on six financial components: operating performance, liquidity management, debt governance, budget practices, affordability, and infrastructure development
Three-pronged approach
Backed by experts in every department, George Mayor Leon van Wyk acknowledges the challenges brought on by the national energy crisis and reminds us that the municipality is not responsible for load-shedding. ‘We have no option but to implement the phases as directed. The municipality’s ability to generate power is limited but we are actively working on reducing our daily energy requirements from Eskom,’ says Van Wyk
At peak times, George uses up to 85MVA per day, but the municipality continuously aims to reduce its own consumption by 10% (between 8MW and 10MW) for Eskom to relieve the town of Stage 1 and 2 load-shedding. This will also assist in achieving its goal of reducing internal electricity costs and increasing sustainability. During 2023, the municipality is adding 3MW of ‘own energy’, and before December 2024 another 9MW should be commissioned into the system.
Electrotechnical Services director Bongani Mandla explains that George Municipality is implementing a three-pronged operational approach to significantly reduce reliance on Eskom’s energy supply. ‘The three focus areas are energy efficiency, own-build programmes, and the procurement of energy from Independent Power Producers (IPPs). Eskom’s unreliable energy supply, coupled with the ever-increasing tariffs and fuel costs, has forced George Municipality to implement some of its plans earlier than initially intended.’ Mandla says expediting of the plans is driven by the city’s urgent need to relieve its residents from Stage 2 loadshedding in the next 18 to 24 months and subsequently of Stage 4 loadshedding within 36 months.
Projects and their timing
The city has already started its Own Build programme, to deliver around 30MW of energy into the grid over the next 36 months, subject to feasibility studies and environmental approval.
The plan is to deliver at least 10MW within the next 18 months – in short:
• 1MWp (megawatt peak) is currently at execution stage after some challenges, including environmental approvals. The plan is to work towards commissioning by end of December 2023 or shortly thereafter.
• 9MWp – the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process is still underway for a 9MW PV Solar Plant. Once those approvals are completed, the process of tendering and awarding will take place.
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A 300kWp (kilowatt peak) solar plant at George Civic Centre produces on average 41,500 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy monthly to supply the building, while excess flows into the grid and supplies neighbouring residents and businesses. A battery energy storage system (BESS) will be installed here to continue generating energy even during loadshedding, while the storage system will supply the building when Eskom’s network is unavailable.
According to a recent municipal statement, ‘various reviews are still under way to ensure that the specifications are of the highest quality and do not place the municipality at risk.’ These specifications are due to be advertised within the next month.
Setting an energy-efficient example
All municipal buildings boast energy-efficient lights, while 111 energy-efficient air conditioners have been installed. Several buildings are scheduled for rooftop PV solar in the 2023/24 financial year, and preparatory work is under way to have all municipal buildings self-sufficient by December 2026.
A phased approach of IPP procurement will enable the city to secure 30–40MW from its IPP programme within the next 36 months. Once both IPP procurement and Own Build deliver energy to the grid, the city’s reliance on Eskom would be significantly reduced.
Billions invested
A planned Solar PV Plant capable of generating 30MW is undergoing feasibility studies to ascertain practicality and find innovative means of circumventing space requirements. This project, coupled with a Utility Scale BESS, will cost +R1.250 billion.
The renewable project’s Own Build programme will cost around R2 billion, and George Municipality continuously engages various funding institutions in South Africa and internationally, sourcing external finance to assist with covering the bulk of these costs.
Roads, sewerage, and public transport
R148 million is being spent on major road upgrades in the 2022/23 financial year, with another R350 million invested in road infrastructure over the next three years. Van Wyk said the municipality is committed to optimising road upgrades across the city, but budget constraints force prioritisation of roads in poor condition. Underground services such as stormwater and sewerage lines will also be rehabilitated, as well as roads used by buses and other heavy vehicles.
The surface of pavements, kerbs, and obstructions on the sidewalks are being addressed to allow for universal accessibility – a cornerstone of the city’s pioneering GO George public transport service. Being smart about water Rainfall across the province has ensured that George Dam was at 100.3% capacity at the time of writing, but work to provide adequate water-related services, including wastewater plant upgrades, forms part of the municipality’s plan to prepare for ever-increasing resident numbers.
Rehabilitation of the Outeniqua Wastewater Treatment Works (OWWTW) will allow for an increased capacity from 15Ml/day to 25Ml/day; the additional number of benefiting households totals 19,049. The number of people per household was calculated at an average family size of 4.25 persons, i.e. an estimated total of 80,958 persons. Recent development and future growth requirements necessitated increased capacity of the OWWTW.
After civil works for the 10Ml/day extension were completed, the mechanical-electrical component of the work commenced in early 2021. The full commissioning of the new 10Ml/day extension concluded in June.
This city is smart
Part of George’s goal to be recognised as Smart City entails an initiative to drastically improve customer service delivery and revenue collection while reducing lost revenue associated with water losses. New smart ultrasonic water meters will be installed throughout George over a period of three to four years, and residents will benefit from this technology as well, receiving daily water meter readings of actual household water consumption directly on their cellphones. This provides the ability to monitor and control your water consumption, while an early leak alarm warning saves on water waste and the accompanying financial penalties.
