NWU earns Renewable Energy Initiative Award for solar investments
The North-West University’s (NWU’s) ongoing commitment to sustainable energy through its trailblazing solar projects across its campuses has earned it the Renewable Energy Initiative Award from the Higher Education Facility Management Association of Southern Africa (HEFMA) recently.
“Winning this award among 26 southern African universities and 50 TVET colleges shows our dedication to renewable energy,” says Hendrik Esterhuizen, director for engineering and legal compliance at the NWU. “Our solar systems now allow us to supply power even while emergency generators are active, offering both energy capacity and financial savings.”
This was also a great day for Esterhuizen, as he was announced as the next president of the HEFMA, following in the footsteps of Lindokuhle Mzolo.
The university’s solar installations include 1 100kWp on the Mahikeng Campus, 2 600kWp at Potchefstroom and 385kWp at Vanderbijlpark. These projects have made the NWU a leader in campus-based solar generation.
"The Mahikeng, Potchefstroom and Vanderbijlpark campuses are making tangible impacts with these projects, contributing to both our sustainability goals and financial savings," Esterhuizen says.
The NWU’s solar energy approach is aligned with a broader sustainability strategy, guided by a five-pillar model focused on energy management. Renewable energy remains central to this approach, supporting the university’s pledge to reduce its carbon footprint and aligning with Universities South Africa's informal commitment to becoming carbon-neutral by 2050.
“We are setting a path towards carbon neutrality, and although this is challenging, renewable energy will play the largest role in achieving this goal,” says Esterhuizen.
This recognition from the HEFMA on 17 October 2024 underscores the NWU's growing role in sustainable campus management and sets a benchmark for other educational institutions striving for a similar impact.
With future plans to incorporate solar systems into all new buildings and major renovations, the NWU is reducing its dependence on traditional energy sources while steadily embedding renewable energy into its infrastructure, thus fostering both sustainability and academic research opportunities.
• Follow the link to the article here: NWU earns Renewable Energy Initiative Award for solar investments | news.nwu.ac.za
Bertie Jacobs
Communication Specialist
Potchefstroom Campus
Mobile: (076) 021 6193 | Phone: (018) 285 2010
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