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CONSTRUCTION WORLD
JULY
2015
PROJECTS AND CONTRACTS
Diversified South African agribusiness BKB made the
announcement recently, giving details of what is set to be
one of the biggest solar power installation projects in
South Africa.
BKB, which processes and exports two thirds of the South African
wool clip and more than 35% of the country’s mohair clip, said the
installation will harvest and then introduce solar energy into its
handling and shipping facility in Port Elizabeth.
The solar PV system, which covers a total surface area of
3 400 m², is located on the roofs of BKB warehouse buildings which
house classing, handling and pressing facilities.
The pitched roof sections of these buildings were being retrofitted
with approximately 4 680 solar panels, each with an output of 100 Watt.
The solar array, which is expected to go online next week will generate
40% of the facility’s electricity needs.
“It is the largest grid-tied solar PV system in the Eastern Cape and
among the top 10 largest in the country,” according to Rhino Energy
director Craig Brehany.
BKB plans to recoup the project’s investment costs over a 10 year
period through energy savings of approximately R850 000 per year.
The solar PV system is significant for the country’s wool and mohair
industries, and for approximately 28 000 emerging and commercial
wool and mohair producers which BKB serves.
“The clean energy supply chain management innovations through
our solar PV system will offset the carbon footprint of wool and mohair
processed and exported from our facilities. This will enhance the
eco credentials of South African wool and mohair handled, pressed
and shipped by BKB,” said Jacobus le Roux, BKB head of corporate
marketing and public relations.
The initiative forms part of the company’s sustainability strategy
and its fifth organisational value which promotes accountability and
constant innovation for environmentally friendly sustainable growth.
He said that the rooftop solar PV installation system is another
stage of a four phase clean energy strategy with “real benefits and
tangible outcomes” at BKB’s facilities in Port Elizabeth. Earlier this
year, the company installed energy efficient lights and sensors in the
95 000 m² property.
“We are deeply committed to becoming the country’s leading
low-carbon agribusiness. BKB will systematically introduce other initia-
tives to introduce cleaner energy over the next fifteen years.”
Le Roux said BKB wants to set the pace and direction for the
development of renewable energy alternatives within the South Africa
agricultural economy. “Our clean energy programme is one of several
ongoing projects delivering real and meaningful transformation across
commercial, social and environmental aspects of the industry and our
business,” he said.
Last year, BKB unveiled a public-private partnership initiative of
R11 million (USD917 461) with the Coega Development Corporation
to address unemployment, critical skills shortages in agriculture, and
support the transformation of emerging farmers into commercial
producers.
Energy harvesting
INNOVATION
An R8-million roof-mounted solar
photovoltaic (PV) energy harvesting system
is to supply clean energy and reduce the
South African wool and mohair industry’s
carbon footprint and is the initiative of BKB
in Nelson Mandela Bay.
• The project has been rolled out by energy solutions company
Rhino Energy, which is among the top three solar PV installation
companies in SA
• The project is the largest grid-tied solar PV system in the Eastern
Cape, and among the top 10 largest in SA. The projected generation
capacity of the project is 750 000 kWh per year – enough to
continuously power 200 average-sized households.
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