RIVERTON – In a shocking revelation that has left locals scratching their heads, it has recently come to light that Kimberley, the famed city in the heart of the Northern Cape, is home to a colossal solar farm. Aptly named Matla A Bokone Solar, this behemoth of green energy sits close to the Riverton Waterworks and boasts an astounding 261,360 solar modules basking in the glorious Northern Cape sunshine.
One would think that such a massive solar project would be a source of pride and relief for the people of Kimberley, especially during these troubling times of loadshedding. But alas, it appears that many residents remain blissfully unaware of this green oasis in their midst. It’s almost as if the solar farm has been obscured by some mysterious force, rendering it invisible to the suffering masses.
Matla A Bokone Solar, formerly known as the tongue-twisting Droogfontein 2 Solar (RF) (Pty) Ltd, is not just any run-of-the-mill solar project. This 75MW endeavor proudly showcases 100% local ownership, making it a shining example of what South Africa is capable of. With an annual production of 180,000MWh, it valiantly supplies much-needed green energy to the country. However, it seems that the impact of this renewable powerhouse has failed to reach the average Kimberley resident.
Efforts have been made to inform the local community about the farm’s existence and the environmental benefits it brings. Matla A Bokone Solar tirelessly runs economic development programs, benefiting the Kimberley area directly. Yet, despite these efforts, the farm remains concealed from the weary eyes of those who need its power the most.
One possible explanation for this baffling phenomenon is that the solar farm is simply too magnificent for the human mind to comprehend. Perhaps the sheer magnitude of its solar modules is too awe-inspiring to behold, leaving spectators dumbfounded and oblivious to its existence. Alternatively, it could be an elaborate prank by the sun, who decided to play hide-and-seek with Kimberley residents by making the solar farm disappear whenever load shedding strikes.
Whatever the reason, it is a shame that despite the presence of this solar giant, Kimberley continues to languish in the darkness of loadshedding. As residents huddle around dim candlelight, desperately waiting for the return of electric power, the solar farm silently watches from a distance, its solar modules shimmering with untapped potential.
So, the next time you find yourself in Kimberley, take a moment to appreciate the hidden marvel that lies just beyond your line of sight. While it may seem like a mirage, rest assured that the massive solar farm is very much a reality, silently working to illuminate the lives of those lucky enough to know of its existence.
Tags: Riverton Solar Farm
This article is badly informed and malicious, as all power produced by solar PV projects, as part of the government’s REIPPPP programme, is fed into SA’s national grid. It is not allocated within the local area.
Considering all the work done by this solar project, including the economic development programmes that benefit the surrounding communities, this type of negative tone is unnecessary.
That is your opinion. We wouldn’t even have know about this project if we didn’t look up Riverton on satellite imaging and saw it. This “negativity” is mirrored by the community also wondering the same why Newton Reservoir can’t be exempt of loadshedding to ensure water supply when the neighborhood also doesn’t have power. Clearly this extra power generated does not benefit the local communities directly.