The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure will invest R116.6 million to help the province become less reliant on Eskom and end loadshedding.
Also read: City of Cape Town implements measures to combat ‘loadshedding-related vandalism’
Earlier this year, Provincial Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers announced a R116.6 million allocation from the department’s annual budget to advance projects within the Provincial Energy Resilience Programme and Solar Geyser Initiative.
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Projects under the programme are set to launch or continue in the 2024/25 fiscal year. Some of these, which form part of the department’s programme for this financial year, include:
Explore Options for Gas to Power project
- The feasibility phase has been completed, and the findings are being considered
- The department is liaising with the national Gas Independent Power Producer Procurement programme to secure 3GW of generation from gas and the expected publication of the National Gas Master Plan
Stellenbosch Municipal Independent Power Producer Procurement (MIPPP) Transaction Advisor and Project Manager
- The feasibility study is due for completion during the first quarter of 2024/25
- The results of this will include the details of the viability of a 50 MWp solar PV facility, including Battery Energy Storage
- If the results are successful, the next phase will include power procurement from an independent power producer
Project Preparation Facility
- This project builds on the Stellenbosch MIPPP and is meant to provide transaction advisory and related services to other municipalities across the province
Grid Infrastructure project
- A detailed assessment of the grid infrastructure in the Western Cape was completed in March 2024
- The department will continue to build on this with the help of engineers contracted via the Capacity to Implement project
Solar Geyser Panel Installation programme for indigent households
- This programme continues this year at seven housing developments across the province
- The pilot project was launched during the previous financial year
- The department aims to install 1 557 solar geyser panels by the end of this current financial year
‘Our commitment to advancing energy resilience in the Western Cape is evident through the allocation of R116.6 million towards critical projects aimed at reducing reliance on Eskom and enhancing sustainability,’ says Simmers.
‘The extension of our solar geyser panel installation programme for indigent households further underscores our dedication to providing clean and affordable energy solutions for our communities.’
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Picture: @Andrey Metelev / Unsplash