Electricity to be generated in Grahamstown

Description:

The country's first biomass power station fueled by invasive alien vegetation such as black wattle, eucalyptus, pine, oak and Australian gum trees will create an estimated 150 jobs to local residents in Grahamstown and will help reduce alien vegetation in the Eastern Cape area.

Alien vegetation consumes vast quantities of water and destroys indigenous vegetation, the steam released when burning the plant material will be used to drive turbines which in turn generate electricity. The biomass plant will produce 3 megawatts of power an hour.

The deal between Makana Municipality and international environmental finance company Nollen Group, could see the power station built alongside Grahamstown`s decommissioned coal power station and completed by 2012 and is expected to cost R70 million.