- Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi delivered his State of the Province Address early last week.
- Here are the energy sector takeaways:
Gauteng has established an energy crisis response team that engages with the National Energy Committee and working with local government and energy experts. To set the ball rolling, as the Gauteng Provincial Government is releasing R1.2 billion towards resolving the energy crisis in Gauteng.
“In few weeks, we will appoint 6 developers who will commence the construction of a 800 megawatts solar farm in Merafong. This will be followed by the installation of roof top solar panels in government buildings especially hospitals, clinics and schools,” said Lesufi.
He added:
- We will engage with Johannesburg Municipality’s City Power as well as Tshwane’s Rooiwal facility with an intention of supporting them to expand and generate more power.
- We will meet with owners of Kelvin Power Station to establish how we can partner with them to limit loadshedding in Gauteng.
- From next week, we will advertise a call for proposals for alternative suppliers of energy that can contribute to solution of the energy crisis and the reindustrialization of Gauteng.
- We have learnt from the procurement of PPEs. We will work with the Gauteng Ethics Advisory Committee and the Auditor General to ensure that the processes are transparent, fair and equitable.
- Honourable Members, from the 1st of April, we will also invest in roof-top solar panels in health facilities, schools and libraries to ensure they have energy and can provide much-needed services to our communities.
- Together with municipalities, we will roll out smart metering. We will ensure that, through this process, our young people will be trained, skilled and equipped in the energy space.
Link to the Gauteng Premiers full speech HERE
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
