Cape Town’s Massive 60MW Solar-Powered Desalination Plant Gets Approved – Will It End the 2025 Drought Disaster?

Solar-Powered Desalination Plant – Cape Town, once again on the brink of water disaster, has received a major lifeline. The government has officially approved the construction of a 60MW solar-powered desalination plant – the largest of its kind in Africa. Slated to begin operations by mid-2026, this R5.8 billion project aims to secure Cape Town’s future against worsening droughts and water insecurity. The city is no stranger to water shortages. The 2018 “Day Zero” scare left residents with just 50 litres of water per day. Now, in 2025, with dam levels again plunging below 30% and rainfall continuing to disappoint, the pressure to find sustainable solutions has never been higher. This newly approved plant, set to run entirely on renewable solar energy, may be Cape Town’s best hope to avoid a repeat of past disasters. The desalination facility will be built near the Koeberg coast and will use reverse osmosis technology to convert 150 million litres of seawater into potable water daily – enough to meet the needs of approximately 1.2 million residents. Importantly, the use of clean energy will make the entire operation more cost-effective and eco-friendly than traditional desalination efforts. But while the announcement has sparked optimism, questions remain: Can this plant be completed in time to prevent the current water crisis from worsening? Will the project overcome funding, technical, and environmental hurdles? This article explores all the critical aspects of the new solar desalination plant – from its design and funding to potential impact and contact details for those seeking more information.

Key Highlights of the Solar-Powered Desalination Plant

Cape Town’s 60MW solar desalination plant is designed to be both an emergency relief measure and a long-term solution.

• Capacity: 150 million litres of freshwater per day
• Energy Source: 100% solar-powered (60MW)
• Construction Start: Q4 2025
• Expected Operational Date: June 2026
• Project Cost: R5.8 billion
• Location: Near Koeberg Nuclear Station, Cape West Coast
• Technology: Reverse osmosis desalination
• Water Distribution Coverage: 1.2 million residents

Why Cape Town Needed Urgent Water Infrastructure

Cape Town has been under severe pressure to diversify its water supply, as rainfall patterns have grown unpredictable.

• Dam levels dropped below 28% in June 2025
• Population growth outpaced water infrastructure expansion
• Groundwater supplies are nearing sustainable extraction limits
• Demand is now over 1 billion litres per day
• Previous desalination attempts (like Strandfontein) were small-scale and temporary

What Makes This Solar-Powered Desalination Plant Different?

Unlike past efforts, this project combines large-scale output with renewable energy – a first for South Africa.

Feature	Previous Plants	New Plant (2025)
Water Output Capacity	7–10 million litres	150 million litres/day
Energy Source	Diesel/Eskom Grid	100% Solar (60MW)
Operational Duration	Temporary (6-12 months)	Long-term (25+ years)
Environmental Impact	Moderate to High	Low
Estimated Cost	R350 million avg	R5.8 billion
Per-Litre Cost (est.)	R0.76 – R1.10	R0.68 (targeted)
Government Involvement	Limited	National & Provincial

Who Is Funding and Managing the Project?

The project is a collaboration between national and provincial governments, along with foreign green infrastructure partners.

• Department of Water and Sanitation: Lead implementing agency
• City of Cape Town: Infrastructure and distribution oversight
• Department of Energy: Solar infrastructure partner
• Green Future Investment Fund (Germany): R2.2 billion funding
• African Development Bank: R1.8 billion loan
• Local engineering firm: AEC South Africa
• Solar Tech Provider: SunNova Africa (60MW setup)

How Will the Desalination Process Work?

The plant will use advanced reverse osmosis technology to remove salts and impurities from seawater, powered entirely by solar energy.

Step-by-Step Process Overview

• Step 1: Intake – Seawater is drawn in through pre-screen filters.
• Step 2: Pre-treatment – Large particles and marine organisms are removed.
• Step 3: Reverse Osmosis – Water is pushed through semi-permeable membranes.
• Step 4: Mineral Addition – Desalinated water is re-mineralised for health.
• Step 5: Storage – Freshwater is stored in distribution tanks.
• Step 6: Distribution – Water is sent to urban reservoirs and households.

Environmental Impact and Safeguards

The desalination plant is designed to have minimal impact on marine ecosystems and carbon emissions.

Environmental Aspect	Mitigation Strategy
Marine Life Disruption	Fine mesh filters and low-speed intakes
Brine Disposal	Diffusers ensure rapid dilution
Energy Carbon Footprint	100% solar energy, 0 fossil emissions
Coastal Aesthetic Concerns	Underground pipe routing, low-profile plant
Water Quality Monitoring	Real-time digital monitoring systems
Noise and Construction Dust	Buffer zones and phased equipment use
Local Wildlife Protection	Environmental impact assessment completed

Will This Solve Cape Town’s Drought Problem?

While not a complete solution, the plant is expected to reduce the severity of future water restrictions by up to 40%.

• Emergency supply for drought years
• Long-term insurance against climate unpredictability
• Reduces dependence on dams and rainfall
• Supports industrial water security and economic growth

Government’s Long-Term Vision for Water Resilience

This project is part of a broader water security initiative called “Water Vision 2030.”

Key Elements of Water Vision 2030

• Diversification: Desalination, aquifer recharge, wastewater recycling
• Smart Metering: Reduce urban water waste by 30%
• Leak Reduction: Infrastructure upgrades to cut pipe losses
• Community Education: Water-saving campaigns in schools and townships
• Public-Private Partnerships: Unlocking infrastructure investments
• Decentralised Solutions: Rooftop rainwater and greywater systems

Departmental Contact Details for Public Queries

For residents, contractors, or NGOs looking to engage with the project, here are the official contact channels:

Department	Contact Person	Phone Number	Email Address
Dept. of Water and Sanitation	Sipho Mokoena	0800 200 200	[email protected]
City of Cape Town – Water Dept.	Lisa Daniels	021 400 1111	[email protected]
Department of Energy	Thandeka Nkosi	012 444 4000	[email protected]
AEC South Africa (Engineering)	Johan Meyer	021 935 9000	[email protected]
SunNova Africa (Solar Partner)	Reggie Mabena	010 823 4050	[email protected]
Environmental Impact Office	Zanele Sibisi	0861 123 456	[email protected]

Key Milestones and Timeline

Milestone	Scheduled Date	Status
Project Approval	July 2025	Completed
Public Tender Publication	August 2025	Pending
Final Environmental Approval	September 2025	In Progress
Construction Groundbreaking	November 2025	Scheduled
Solar Array Installation	March 2026	Planned
Desalination Equipment Setup	April–May 2026	Planned
Testing and Final Adjustments	May 2026	Planned
Official Opening	June 2026	Projected

Cape Town’s decision to back this massive, solar-powered desalination plant may prove to be a turning point in South Africa’s water infrastructure history. While challenges remain, the combination of renewable energy, large-scale output, and environmental safeguards makes it a bold and necessary step. Whether it fully averts the 2025 drought crisis or not, it sets the stage for a more secure, climate-resilient future for the Western Cape.

FAQs of Solar-Powered Desalination Plant

Q1: Will this plant completely eliminate water restrictions?
No, but it will significantly reduce them, especially during drought seasons.

Q2: Is the project environmentally safe for marine life?
Yes, the plant uses modern intake systems and brine disposal techniques to protect ecosystems.

Q3: How much will it cost residents per litre?
Initial estimates suggest a cost of around R0.68 per litre, slightly cheaper than previous desalination costs.

Q4: Can residents apply for jobs or tenders in the project?
Yes, tenders will open in August 2025. Job opportunities will be posted on the City of Cape Town website.

Q5: How will solar power ensure round-the-clock operations?
Battery storage systems and grid integration will be used to store solar energy for night-time operations.