Six airports powered by solar energy have launched in South Africa.

Situated in remote locations with vast expanses of land, South Africa’s airports are perfect candidates for solar energy projects.

With over 2,500 hours of sunshine annually, South Africa’s airports are ideally positioned to harness this abundant solar resource.

In the past year, Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has introduced three solar-powered airports, becoming the first on the continent to adopt solar energy at such a scale.

By the end of this year, three additional regional airports will join the green movement with their own solar power installations.

Half of the airport’s power comes from solar energy.

ACSA, the state-owned company, shared with Dinogo that it is focused on easing the strain on South Africa’s overloaded power grid by providing about 50% of the energy needed by its airports.

Currently, the solar farms meet nearly 45% of the airport’s power demands, with the remaining 55% supplied by the national grid.

ACSA's long-term goal is for airports to become fully self-sufficient in energy generation, says Senzeni Ndebele, the company's senior corporate affairs manager.

The company plans to ‘greenify’ all its airports and reach carbon neutrality by 2025, Ndebele explains.

South Africa’s organic solar future is taking shape.

Once hailed as the ‘darling of the renewable energy world,’ South Africa boasted a growing number of solar farms and increasing contributions of renewable energy to the national grid, according to energy analyst Dirk de Vos, director at QED Solutions.

However, state-owned Eskom has delayed signing new agreements to purchase renewable energy from private companies, citing cost concerns, though it asserts that renewables will still be part of South Africa’s energy mix.

Despite this, smaller-scale projects, such as those at airports and shopping malls, have capitalized on the country’s robust solar sector.

‘The entire ecosystem and expertise in the solar industry remain intact, making it highly feasible to implement successful smaller commercial rooftop solar projects,’ he adds.

‘South Africa’s solar future will be driven by companies aiming to reduce their reliance on the national grid and generate their own power,’ he says.

De Vos sees solar energy as a cost-effective and competitive solution to power areas of South Africa that might otherwise remain without electricity.

‘We’re just at the beginning of what could be a solar energy revolution,’ he adds.

The major players in South Africa’s solar transition.

Situated halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, George Airport features a 200-square-meter solar plant, currently generating 750 kW of power.

Kimberley Airport, located in the Northern Cape Province’s capital, launched its 1.7-acre solar power plant in May 2016, just a month after George Airport.

Upington’s solar power plant, which began operation in July 2016, generates 1 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually for the airport.

Plans are in place for Port Elizabeth International, Bram Fischer International, and East London airports to roll out solar PV systems in October, November, and December, respectively.

By 2025, ACSA aims to become 'the most sought-after global partner for sustainable airport management solutions.'