Solar Farm to start 2012 - UPINGTON

October 5, 2010

A general view shows the Lieberose solar farm, which is the worlds second biggest solar power plant and Germanys biggest Photograph by: FABRIZIO BENSCH

Government expects the construction of Eskom’s planned solar farm in Upington to start in 2012.
Eskom is likely to be able to finalise a decision on which technology it will use at the sun farm in December, start construction in mid to late 2012, and complete a demonstration plant in 2015. The minister said the project is expected to cost between six to seven billion rand.
The Upington solar power project and a wind farm at Sere, some 160 kilometres north of Cape Town, had been lying dormant for lack of funding.
But the two projects received nearly R2 billion in International Bank for Reconstruction and Development funding as part of the US3.75 billion World Bank loan to Eskom approved earlier this year, putting both back on the drawing board.
Hogan said the World Bank will be providing financing of US250 million “and the rest will be co-financed by other financial institutions such as the African Development Bank”.
“A condition to the World Bank loan was a technology assessment to evaluate developments in concentration solar project technology internationally.
“Following this assessment, which is expected to be completed in December 2010, Eskom will be in a position to finalise the decision on technology choice, production capacity and storage capacity for the demonstration plant.”

We should support this, it is for our earth...

GreenDIYenergy.com

GreenDIYenergy.com

This is very interesting!

Upington the world's new solar capital

By: Christy van der Merwe

28th October 2010

"Upington maak ‘n plan. Don't follow the crowds, follow the sun!"

Upington TAKE the CHALLANGE!!
Energy Minister Dipuo Peters has challenged the private sector and government in the Northern Cape - to make Upington a solar capital of the world.
Peters even questioned why the traffic lights in Upington were not solar powered. "Let's get the whole town heating its water through solar water heaters. Let's have the lights solar powered. There are companies here today who can make that happen, there are investors who can structure the financial packages to pay for this," she said.
The Northern Cape has been selected as the base for the creation of a ‘Solar Park', which could serve as a concentrated zone of solar development in South Africa.
The area had excellent and consistent radiation, flat and sparsely-populated land, the ability to connect to the electricity grid at multiple points, water available from the Orange River, a developed highway system, and the Upington airport, which made it an ideal location for solar deployment.
Department of Energy (DoE) director general Nelisiwe Magubane said that solar energy industrialisation in Upington implied the development of new skills for the local populace thus enhancing their employability.
She added that the park presented a major opportunity to diversify South Africa's industrial base and create significant much-needed decent jobs.
It was envisaged that the solar park could expand to produce 5 000 MW of solar power over a ten-year deployment horizon, in a territory stretching from Upington to De Aar.
A Solar Park Authority would be established, and bulk infrastructure, such as water, electricity and transport solutions, would be provided for different project developers. Land access would also be provided, and the environmental impact assessment process made easier. This would make project development easier.
The DoE indicated that site preparation could take place as early as 2011, and once regulatory and legislative hurdles were cleared, solar plants, which have been selected through the competitive bidding process, could start producing solar power by the second half of 2012.

Amaizing!

Climate change

Climate change is in the news. It seems like everyone's "going green." We're glad you want to take action, too. Luckily, many of the steps we can take to stop climate change can make our lives better. Our grandchildren-and their children-will thank us for living more sustainably. Let's start now.

Save energy to save money
Plant your own vegetables
Save water to save money
Less gas = more money (and better health!)
Eat smart
Think before you buy
Keep electronics out of the trash
Make your own cleaning supplies

Are you buying a new home?

... we are. And I need to make it more green. What tipe of idees do you have for me?

Change is coming ...

 ... and a community that’s prepared before hand, that uses local resources, that is not entirely dependent on water, electricity and supermarkets, will be far better off - not to mention benefiting the community, the environment and their health. Do all you can do and save our world, make it a safer, cleaner place to live in for our children.

Here are 20 EASY green ideas you can commit to that will make our earth happy...

1.Have sweeter, less toxic dreams by choosing organic beds and bedding.
2.Create a dedicated home recycling area.
3.Salt Your Oven
4.Save water, wash Less Laundry.
5.Learn to enjoy earthworms.
6.Quit cleaning with bleach already!
7.Before you next go shopping ask yourself some green shopping questions.
8.Choose earth friendly beverages.
9.Green your toilet paper.
10.If it’s time for a new phone, recycle your old cell phone.
11.No yard space? Get a cool Urban Kitchen Compost Bin.
12.Cancel all that junk mail.
13.Get your kids involved with all of the above green ideas.
14.Save electricity by using solar panels and green light bulbs
15.Boil some cinnamon – ummm, spicy house.