Emperors Palace has taken another bold stride in its commitment to environmental sustainability by significantly expanding its solar energy infrastructure.
Following the successful installation of 13 boreholes and water reservoirs to secure its water supply, the Kempton Park mega-resort has now added thousands of solar panels as part of a major green energy initiative.
Peermont Maintenance manager Jannie Roos, who spearheaded the project, revealed that close to R100 million has already been invested in the resort’s solar energy initiatives.
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“The initial phases, completed between 2017 and 2019, have already yielded impressive savings, allowing the project to be paid off in full through reduced energy costs,” said Roos.
The most recent phase of the project included the installation of thousands of new solar panels across the Emperors Palace complex. Two new 2 500m² covered structures were also constructed to maximise solar exposure.
This latest addition provides an extra 2 481 kW of solar capacity, boosting the overall peak production of the solar plant to 5,905 kW. With this expansion, the resort now boasts a total of 14 292 solar panels on its property.
“These panels are expected to produce up to 9 700 177 kWh annually, significantly reducing reliance on South Africa’s overburdened Eskom grid,” Roos said.
“To put these savings into perspective, the energy generated by our combined solar plant is equivalent to the annual electricity usage of just over 3 000 average-sized homes.”
South Africa, with its high levels of year-round sunshine and increasing energy demands, is uniquely positioned to benefit from solar power.
The renewable energy source offers a sustainable solution to the country’s energy crisis while promoting long-term environmental responsibility.
