DESIGNING THE SPECIFICATIONS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A PV-MFC HYBRID SYSTEM PROJECT BASED ON A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP (PPP) AND SOUTH AFRICA’S PROCUREMENT POLICIES: CASE STUDY UMHLATHUZE

Electricity supply shortages in South Africa cause insecurity of supply, which subsequently negatively affects economic growth and increases electricity prices for energy co nsumers, making energy unaffordable for the effective execution of day-to-day activities. Discussions at a national level indicate that tariff increases are likely, further burdening energy consumers (business owners and citizens). Indications are that the re could also be a surcharge to consumers that use the national conventional fossil fuel-based energy grid but supplement supply from other sources, and additional surcharges for users of 100% renewable. Considering the potential unrest and concerns from e nd-users of electricity, this paper proposes guidelines for the procurement of a photovoltaic -microbial fuel cell (PV-MFC) hybrid system as a means of implementing decentralized energy generation for municipalities, with the uMhlathuze municipality used as a case study. Public-private partnership (PPP) procurement is proposed as an effective vehicle for the safe acquisition of renewable technology that offers stable yet sustainable investment capital, distributed and manageable risks associated with project implementation, and profitable long-term payback strategies. The details of such specifications framework are accurately outlined after a feasibility study has been concluded that indicates the precise design of the PV-MFC technology required and the amount of capital financing for the implementation of the hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) has been established.