Airports Company South Arica (ACSA) has called on interested parties to bid for the design of two 500 KWp photovoltaic (PV) solar plants, for installation at its Upington International and its Kimberley airports respectively.

ACSA regional airports GM Yvette Schoeman told Engineering News Online that this formed part of the company’s plan to install solar energy plants at all six regional airports over the next three to five years to make them more self-sufficient.

“By making use of renewable energy, the regional airports [unit also] seeks to improve its environmental impact by decreasing the amount of pollution it produces and, effectively, reducing its carbon footprint,” she added.

ACSA’s regional airports business unit comprised Upington International; Bram Fischer International, in Bloemfontein; Port Elizabeth International; Kimberley Airport; George Airport; and East London Airport.
 
Schoeman noted that this solar programme was a long-term project that could span between 5 and 15 years, with the roll-out to be undertaken in a phased approach.

Those interested in submitting bids for the Upington and Kimberley airport projects would be required to attend a compulsory briefing on February 2.

Bids for the Upington Airport solar PV plant would close on March 2, to be followed by the bid closing of the Kimberley Airport solar PV plant on March 5.

AIRPORT INSTALLATION
Meanwhile, ACSA had appointed a contractor to install a 750 KWp solar PV plant at the George Airport. Construction was expected to start within the coming two months.

Implementation at the airports was dependent on feasibility studies, which was expected to start in 2016.