Aquila Private Game Reserve to Pioneer Eco-tourism

A world first to power all daylight energy requirements via solar power

Aquila Private Game Reserve has signed a deal to develop a 50 Megawatt plant in a bid to have all it’s daylight energy requirements covered by solar power. The reserve is already recognized for its social upliftment and conservation efforts.

“With many hours of abundant sunshine in the Cape Karoo, Aquila is the perfect site for the use of solar energy,” exclaims Aquila owner Searl Derman, “I’m proud to have initiated the ultimate responsible usage of land as a platform for sustainable renewable energy projects, in one of South Africa’s most impoverished towns and during a national power crisis.”

From 1st September 2010, the current 60 kW facility, which is a Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV) system with panels that move to track the sun, will be fully operational. The facility will be housed at Aquila Rehabilitation and Conservation Centre (ARC), on a separate piece of land that faces the reserve.

The deal has been signed with a leading German supplier of CPV systems Concentrix Systems, who have been active in South Africa since 2008. Aquila and Concentrix will also operate a skills development program in a bid to train over 200 Touws River residents in security, construction and maintenance of the solar panels.

Ever since the withdrawal of the Touws River Railway during the 1980’s caused an unemployment rate of 97% of 9000 inhabitants, Derman has committed himself to uplifting the community and is recognized as a ‘Champion of the Poor’ by the press. He operates a soup kitchen which feeds up to 12 000 people per month, uses recycled litter to pay school teacher salaries and has developed local youth by sponsoring the town’s rugby, cricket and soccer teams.

Aquila offers local and foreign guests a unique opportunity to view the big five, just two hours outside of Cape Town. Aquila shows commitment to responsible practices and even houses a large outdoor sanctuary, comprising of several one hectare fenced camps, where rescued canned lions and cheetahs may live out the remainder of their lives.

By Lisa Nevitt

Why not pay Aquila a visit? Be sure to read more about Private Game Drives Close to Cape Town

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