MTN South Africa has switched on 5 418 out of the planned 9 000 solar panels at its 14th Avenue headquarters as it progresses its solar renewable energy project.

Over 50% complete, the energisation process of its solar renewable energy Phase 1 project unlocks 700 kW into the microgrid, making the head office 40% less reliant on the municipal grid.

MTN is aiming for a total of 1 800 kW by the end of February, with a battery storage facility set to be installed by the end of March.

This followed the 2023 initiation of Phase 1 of its solar renewable energy project to transform the head office into a solar park with 4.9 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) and 2 MW of battery energy and builds on MTN’s standalone independent power producer (IPP) ambitions through the deployment of five different generation technologies in a singular plant at its head office in Fairlands.

This is expected to deliver 9.3-million kWh yearly energy consumption savings and a 9 672 t reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

“MTN South Africa set its sights on achieving net zero emissions by 2040, a decade ahead of industry objectives. The solar park, a 4.9 MW solar embedded generation plant, and the groundbreaking Island Mode Project, which will see MTN leveraging a combination of gas, solar, battery and diesel technologies working in cohesion to create a microgrid, are pivotal in positioning MTN to go off the grid during loadshedding,” said MTN South Africa CEO Charles Molapisi.

The head office now boasts multiple energy sources, including municipal/Eskom grid, gas generators, diesel generators, solar PV, and a battery energy storage system. Intelligent controllers enable dynamic energy management under various scenarios, ensuring optimal use.

The anticipated completion of the Island Mode Project is set for April 2024, combining solar, battery storage, gas trigeneration, concentrated solar power and diesel generators.

“Looking ahead, MTN South Africa remains committed to the net-zero journey, planning subsequent phases to solidify its commitment to the SBTi pledge and achieve the 2030 target,” Molapisi concluded.