R220m Atlantis solar power plant promises Cape Town residents R400m in electricity savings
Cape Town’s R220m Helderhoop solar-and-storage plant in Atlantis is expected to save at least R400m over 20 years, although construction is complete and commissioning tests are still under way.
Residents of Cape Town stand to gain up to R400 million in electricity savings over the next two decades due to the opening of South Africa’s first metropolitan municipality-built hybrid power plant, located in Atlantis. The R220 million Helderhoop Solar and Storage Power Plant, unveiled by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, covers an area equivalent to about 21 rugby fields and comprises 12,850 solar panels alongside two utility-scale batteries.
While the plant, spanning 15 hectares, is currently undergoing testing and is not yet fully operational, its projected benefits will not materialize immediately. Currently, the City has not specified when Cape Town residents will experience direct financial advantages. The power generated by Helderhoop is expected to be significantly cheaper than Eskom’s electricity, promising savings for households.
However, the City has not yet communicated the timing of these cost reductions. The facility's design incorporates solar electricity generation coupled with battery storage, enabling some of the daytime-produced electricity to be stored for later use. Initially, the plant boasts a 7MW solar generation capacity, complemented by a 10MWh battery storage capacity.
The construction process resulted in around 305 jobs. Energy Committee Member Alderman Xanthea Limberg highlighted that the project provided valuable experience in renewable energy infrastructure to construction workers and the community, naming the plant Helderhoop, meaning Bright Hope, after a local learner’s winning suggestion in a naming competition.
Mayor Hill-Lewis sees the project as a crucial investment in Cape Town’s energy future, especially considering the ongoing increases in electricity costs faced by residents. The municipality is also securing electricity supply from independent power producers, securing rates up to 21% lower than Eskom. Plans for a second hybrid solar and battery facility in Paardevlei are underway by 2029.
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