Africa's first solar powered airport was inaugurated in George, Western Cape in South Africa.

On Friday, Ms. Dipuo Peters, South African Minister of Transport officially opened the George Airport Solar Plant. While addressing a gathering, Peters said that the solar plant stretching 200 square meters cost an approximately R16 million to be build.

She said, it "admirably demonstrates the South African government's commitment to clean energy generation and sustainability, as well as to our country's increasingly prominent role when it comes to global climate change issues."

Peters added that the solar plant is designated to provide 750 megawatts of electricity to the airport. It is expected to "save in excess of 1.2 million liters of water per year."

Taking into account the fact that South Africa is experiencing severe drought in recent years, worst of its kinds seen in decades, the water saving power generation is utterly important.

She said that this plant has "substantial magnitude and importance for sustainable socio-economic and environmental development. The plant also is a part of the Independent Power Producers Programme in South Africa which aims to contribute a total energy of 3,725 MW to the economy.