Shining Example of Municipal Excellence

The Dr. Beyers Naudé Local Municipality (DBNLM) in Graaff-Reinet has reached a significant milestone in renewable energy. On 23 September 2024, Deputy Minister of Energy and Electricity, Ms. Graham-Maré, praised the municipality’s innovative approach to Small Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG). While not the first to adopt solar panels, DBNLM stands out for keeping ownership and control of the project, a key factor in its trailblazing success.

This achievement comes after more than a decade of grappling with load shedding and severe financial challenges. Utility Consulting Solutions (UtCS) was instrumental in guiding the municipality toward a sustainable power solution that meets the community’s needs.

At a Renewable Energy Seminar, Municipal Manager Mr. Rankwana and Mayor Mr. Safers welcomed delegates and emphasized the importance of teamwork. They highlighted this project as a pivotal step in DBNLM’s journey to overcome load shedding and improve financial sustainability.

Chief Financial Officer Mr. Joubert explained that the municipality faced two major challenges in 2021 when pursuing green energy solutions: prohibitive costs and a lack of expertise. The high expenses associated with adopting renewable energy strained DBNLM’s limited financial resources, while a gap in knowledge about green technologies hindered progress. The municipality was also drowning in debt to essential service providers such as Eskom, SARS, and pension funds.

Despite these obstacles, collaboration with UtCS CEO Mr. Nicholls in 2023 led to the launch of the solar panel project, transforming DBNLM’s energy landscape. Mr. Nicholls and his team brought extensive expertise to the table, guiding the municipality in its shift to SSEG, a model they believe can benefit communities and businesses across South Africa.

UtCS Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Thomas, acknowledged the critical roles played by the DBNLM executive team, local industry, and private sector stakeholders. He emphasized that UtCS is working to transition the municipality from a non-compliant entity to one that meets its constitutional mandate of delivering sustainable services to consumers.

Mr. Thomas also noted that the project has already created opportunities for the local youth, with job creation and skills development at the forefront. He urged other municipalities to follow DBNLM’s example, advocating for progressive thinking and in-house control over renewable energy initiatives to ensure long-term relevance and stability.

Both Mr. Thomas and Deputy Minister Graham-Maré applauded DBNLM’s leadership for keeping control of the SSEG project rather than outsourcing it. They praised this bold decision, saying it will not only ensure financial improvements in the present but also secure a more sustainable future for the municipality.