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UFS installs solar plants on all campuses, bolstering renewable energy amid continuing power cuts

18 August 2023 | Story Lunga Luthuli | Photo Francois van Vuuren

Bloemfontein Campus Solar Farm — The solar plant on the UFS’s Bloemfontein Campus, part of the university’s commitment to combatting loadshedding and embracing sustainable energy.

The University of the Free State (UFS) has installed solar plants across its three campuses.

The university says this is in response to the call for urgent solutions to loadshedding and the promotion of environmentally sustainable, cleaner, and renewable energy solutions.

Nicolaas Esterhuysen, Director of Engineering Services at UFS University Estates, said,

“The PV (photovoltaic) systems are grid-tied without storage to ensure maximum benefits and faster payback periods.”

Esterhuysen said the UFS has saved up to R32,5 million since the first solar plant was commissioned in 2017 to help the UFS reduce the impact of loadshedding and its carbon footprint and energy costs. “This will substantially increase this year with the commissioning of two large new ground-mounted solar plants on the Bloemfontein Campus,” he said.

“The microgrid installation on Qwaqwa Campus is one of the biggest solar diesel hybrid systems installed in South Africa. It allows us to keep the campus running despite excessive power interruptions.”

The UFS is currently embarking on research as part of the Grid-related Research Group (GRRP) under the Interdisciplinary Centre for Digital Futures (ICDF) to also help staff and students with understanding renewable energy and sustainability.

Esterhuysen said the plants are further evidence of the UFS’s commitment to renewable and energy saving solutions. “It is our flagship project, but our focus is also on energy saving initiatives – to ensure we are becoming more energy efficient and eliminate energy wastage. We have plans for expansion on all campuses. Some of the highlights are an off-grid solution for the new student centre at Qwaqwa Campus and to make South Campus a self-sustaining campus.”

The installed grid-tied system solar plants are operating without batteries on all three campuses, giving the university an optimal configuration between capital cost and payback period.

The energy generated at the solar plants:

Bloemfontein Campus – 3688 kWp

Qwaqwa Campus – 918 kWp

South Campus – 759 kWp

Paradys – 125 kWp

News Archive

Kovsies heading to Varsity Netball finals – again!

2014-10-14

The Kovsie Netball side is well underway to hold onto their champion status in the Varsity Netball Championships. On Monday evening, 13 October 2014, they beat NWU-Pukke 51–45 in the semi-final that took place on our Bloemfontein Campus.

The ladies from the UFS established a comfortable lead early on. Despite a strong comeback effort from NWU, Kovsies ended the game as conquerors with their second consecutive final ahead of them for next Monday.

Our team could hardly ask for better supporters, as the crowd roared them on to a winning score. They made the most of every attacking opportunity on court and played an offensive match. This was especially evident during the power plays – a period of time during which each goal is worth two points.

NWU-Pukke managed to fight their way back, coming within a goal of their hosts. But Kovsies went into a well-earned 10–6 lead during the first break. Kovsies’ Danelle Willemse and Ane Botha impressed with their accuracy at the hoop and clinically-executed shots at goal. At half-time, Kovsies had built up to a 27–14 lead.

The home side was in complete control of the game as they went into the final break with the scoreboard at 43–31. NWU’s effort fell short in the last quarter, though, and they could not snatch the victory from the defending Kovsie champions.

Kovsies will face the Tuks team in Pretoria on Monday 20 October at 18:45 for the final of the 2014 Varsity Netball tournament.

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