uMhlanga Rocks Reservoir 2.

A 56 kW micro-hydropower demonstrator designed and installed by ALTERELEC to recover energy available in eThekwini’s water distribution network.

Demonstration project

A compact turbine integrated into a municipal water network.

eThekwini Water & Sanitation worked with ALTERELEC on a pilot project designed to demonstrate energy recovery at a water reservoir. ALTERELEC designed and installed a compact 56 kW Micro-Hydroelectric Turbine Integration System at uMhlanga Rocks Reservoir 2.

The objective is to convert previously untapped hydraulic energy into locally available renewable electricity while preserving the core function of the water network.

56 kWInstalled micro-hydropower capacity.

2023Construction and commissioning.

EWSeThekwini Water & Sanitation.

Timeline

From funding to an operational demonstrator.

Milestones reflect information published by eThekwini Water & Sanitation and the French Treasury.

2019

Project selected

ALTERELEC’s uMhlanga micro-turbine project is selected under the French sustainable cities in Africa programme.

2020

EWS beneficiary

eThekwini Water & Sanitation becomes the demonstrator beneficiary, with ALTERELEC as the French implementing agent.

Feb 2023

Construction

Construction phase starts at uMhlanga Reservoir 2.

May 2023

Commissioning

Commissioning is reported on 12 May 2023, followed by public presentation in September 2023.

International development

The South African journey started years before construction.

ALTERELEC’s archive documents its participation in African Utility Week in Cape Town in May 2017, presenting solar, storage and micro-hydropower solutions.