Overview

Both during construction and in operation, the Konkoonsies Solar Power project benefits the communities in the vicinity of the solar farm in multiple ways, including enterprise and socio-economic development that promotes access to the economy for local people, procurement and employment opportunities that plough financial resources into the local area as well as the establishment of a local community trust.

Konkoonsies Solar Power spends a percentage of revenues on these programmes.

Enterprise and socio-economic development

Socio-economic development initiatives promote access to the economy for all people.

  • Enterprise development includes initiatives to assist and accelerate the sustainability of local enterprises and focuses on an agricultural organisation based in Pella.
  • The socio-economic focus is on educational support programmes, including:
    • A bursary programme
    • Partners for Possibility programme – a co-action, co-learning partnership between School Principals and business leaders.

These programmes will continue for the 20 year life of the project and will focus on local communities in Pofadder, Onseepkans and Pella.

Community Trust

20 percent of the Konkoonsies Solar Power project is owned by Malibongwe Women Development Trust, Ikamva Labantu Empowerment Trust & The Konkoonsies Solar Facility Community Trust who form part of the corporate entity, Main Street 937. This percentage is significantly higher that the government’s minimum threshold of 2,5% local ownership.

Procurement and employment

During construction, Konkoonsies Solar Power provided employment opportunities to many people from the local community.

In addition, many indirect jobs were created or sustained at local manufacturers and suppliers through the project and its contractor’s procurement of goods and services from the local community.

Now in operation, Konkoonsies Solar Power provides long-term employment to a number of people to operate and maintain the plant.

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