Investment in the Western Cape for the first two rounds of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP) is estimated at R7.5 billion. Turning the Western Cape into South Africa’s Green Economic Hub is a key priority for the Western Cape Government and thus maximising the REIPPP investment. This is evident in the Provincial Budget Speech made by Minister Alan Winde in 2012 with the statement that the Green Economy is one of four priority Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV) that have been set up to grow the Western Cape's most competitive sectors. The other SPVs are Oil and Gas, ICT and the Business and Process Outsourcing (BPO) industries. The aim of focusing on these four priority areas is to attract international markets and drive economic growth in the Province and as a result they will be receiving 67% of the Western Cape Government’s budget.
The Western Cape is home to the country’s main solar manufacturers and has seen an increase in investment which supports the growth of the renewable energy industry in the province. This has included the establishment of plants by AEG (a 110% Green Flagship) and Enertronica to manufacture inverters.
As stated by Premier Helen Zille in her State of the Province Address, 2013 “Our government is committed to doing everything it can to ensure that wind farms are developed without unnecessary logistical and regulatory hitches. We are therefore appealing to developers to engage with us on any problems they encounter so that we can ensure the efficient roll-out of these farms across the province.”
The potential impact of the renewable energy sector for the Western Cape is significant. Through the 110% Green website we will continue to update you on new investments in the Western Cape in the renewable energy sector.
To read more of Minister Winde’s Budget Speech 2012 go to:
http://www.westerncape.gov.za/speech/department-economic-development-and-tourism-budget-speech-2012
To read the full State of the Province Address 2013 go to:
http://www.westerncape.gov.za/gc-news/97/9536