City unveils new plans to wean itself from Eskom

THE City of Johannesburg (CoJ) this week unveiled a new plan to accelerate security of reliable power supply for residents and businesses in the municipality.

Headed by executive mayor Mpho Moerane, the CoJ has launched an energy mix Energy Sustainability Strategy for the municipality, through which the city seeks to increase its capacity to cater for its growing developmental needs.

The new strategy seeks to add an extra 500 MW of gas and solar capacity to the city’s energy mix.

City Power currently receives 90% of its electricity from State power utility Eskom and 10% from the Kelvin power station, a private power producer.  

Moerane reiterated that the city was exploring taking over Eskom-supplied areas in Johannesburg, which include Sandton and Soweto.

Meanwhile, the 15-year Energy Sustainability Strategy means City Power is set to be a “wires business” that will not only continue delivering conventional power, but will also