WORLD Heritage site, Robben Island Museum launched its brand new Solar PV mini-grid today, which will provide the island with a total of 666.4 kW of electricity daily. This project has been made possible through a partnership between the National Department of Tourism (NDT) and Robben Island Museum (RIM).

The NDT recognises that tourism is a major contributor to the national GDP and therefore needs to be supported by renewable energy. “This collaborative initiative not only affirms our country’s capability to engineer sustainable energy solutions, but it inspires hope that the business of tourism can be conducted in a sustainable manner,” said Tourism Minister Tokozile Xasa.

“Prior to the construction of the solar plant, we relied solely on expensive diesel generators to provide electricity on the Island. This transition will see the island largely powered by the solar plant. This will not only reduce the Island’s carbon emissions by almost 820 tons per year, it will also bring about a savings of around R 4 million per annum,” said RIM CEO, Mr Mava Dada.