Northern Cape to Shine as SA's renewable energy hub

Northern Cape to shine as SA’s renewable energy hub

Sunday, 02 March 2014 00:00

Pretoria - The Northern Cape is ready to become South Africa’s renewable energy hub through the construction of large solar and wind power stations, Premier Sylvia Lucas said on Friday. Speaking during the State of the Province Address, the premier said the Provincial Renewable Energy Strategy had been developed to unlock existing potential and to position the province to attract both local and foreign investment. Solar power plant, Spain “In terms of the strategy, we [will become] a net producer of renewable energy to the rest of the country by 2020. “The planned solar corridor stretching between ZF Mgcawu and the Pixley ka Seme regions, and the solar-themed special economic zone (SEZ) to the station in //Khara Hais Municipality is a manifestation of this,” Premier Lucas said. The fast growing renewable energy and green economy sector in the province concentrates, in the main, on solar energy and is expected to attract massive investments. The Renewable Energy Independent Producers Procurement Programme, directed by the Department of Energy, has so far approved 31 projects for the province. The programme aims to harness South Africa’s high level of renewable energy potential. It currently has in place a target of 10 000 GWh of renewable energy. The Minister of Energy has determined that 3 725 megawatts, to be generated from renewable energy sources, is required to ensure the continued uninterrupted supply of electricity. The Northern Cape’s projects will result in the creation of over 6 502 jobs during the construction phase and a further 8 736 permanent jobs. Expected direct investment amounts to R26.4 billion, which is the lion’s share at 78% of total investment for the bidding phase of the renewable energy programme. – SAnews.gov.za SOURCE:NedBank