Sun City Resort Ramps up Solar Capacity Towards Energy Independence

As South Africa's power crisis continues, Sun City Resort, the flagship establishment of Sun International, is taking steps towards energy independence. The resort has reportedly saved close to R1 million in just two months through solar capacity, thanks to favorable weather conditions, improved efficiencies, and increased solar usage.

Sun City's sustainability manager, Lwazi Mswelanto, revealed to Moneyweb that the resort saved about R412,000 in August and another R300,000 in September due to the deployment of solar energy. With the advent of summer, these savings are projected to rise even further as solar power efficiencies enhance.

The resort set a savings target of R3.2 million for the year, an objective it endeavors to reach by amplifying solar capacity. Right now, the resort's solar plant, composed of 2,584 solar photovoltaic panels, is installed on the Sun City Hotel roof. These panels, spread over approximately 12,000m2, provide about 1.4 megawatts (MW) of capacity to the resort at its peak.

To scale up, the resort plans to allot another R1.6 million to add 209 more panels to the mega plant, boosting capacity to 1.56MW by the end of the year. This implies that solar will account for between 10-15% of the total maximum energy demand for the resort, according to Mswelanto.

Given the chronic load shedding issues and the national grid's deteriorating state, resort management is intent on seeking energy independence. The resort reportedly spent around R5 million in diesel fuel this year due to persistent load shedding. With the resort's solar farm projected to last for 25 years, the long-term plan is to establish complete detachment from the national grid.