As South Africa grapples with the challenges of ageing infrastructure and growing demand, visitors planning trips to Cape Town understandably have concerns about load shedding (scheduled power outages) and water supply. However, the city’s proactive approach to these issues should put any worries to rest.
The reality is that the South African government has struggled to keep up with the pace of urban development and population growth when it comes to maintaining and expanding power and water infrastructure. This has led to the all-too-familiar spectre of load-shedding, which has previously caused disruptions, especially in the hospitality sector.
Getting off the grid
But Cape Town has risen to the occasion, with most establishments taking matters into their own hands. Today, you’ll find generators, inverters, and solar panels powering hotels, restaurants, shopping centres, and even many private homes – ensuring continuity of service and comfort for residents and visitors alike. The City of Cape Town has an ambitious plan to add up to 1GW of independent power supply within the next five years, which should shield the city from future Eskom-driven load-shedding.
The water situation in Cape Town is an equally impressive story of resilience. While the 2018 drought crisis was a stark reminder of the risks posed by water scarcity, the city emerged from that challenge as a shining example of effective water management and community engagement. The V&A Waterfront, where many superyacht visitors will be berthed, is taking this further by commissioning a desalination plant capable of producing up to 5 million litres of water daily.
V & A Waterfront leading drive to self-sufficiency
Beyond water, the Waterfront is also leading the charge on the energy front, with plans to achieve self-sufficiency by 2030 by installing solar panels and backup diesel generators. Future developments, including the superyacht facilities, are designed with built-in standby power generation to ensure uninterrupted operations.
So, when you visit Cape Town, you can rest assured that the lights will stay on and the taps will continue to flow. The city’s proactive approach to these critical infrastructure challenges has transformed it into a model of resilience – a testament to the ingenuity and determination of its people.
