... and major jobs boost
“The devastating impact of the current drought, specifically in the Western and Northern Cape provinces over the last few years, have highlighted the impact of climate change and water security amongst other things. It should be noted that energy is one of the biggest consumers of water.”
He added that generating electricity using renewable energy was an efficient way to minimise water consumption in the energy sector.
“The projects, once fully operational and at maximum capacity, will save 9.6 million kilolitres of water per annum, compared to similar MW hours of electricity from fossil fuels. This is equivalent to the water needs of more than 1.2 million people a year.”
Referring to the new jobs that will be created by the 27 projects, Radebe said most of these would be during the construction period. “Furthermore, jobs will be available across the entire value chain with an additional 1 500 jobs possible in the manufacturing sector.”
He added that the localisation potential of these 27 new projects was substantial.
“Our estimate is that for the solar PV projects, around 2.8 million solar PV modules will be procured, 600 inverters and 385 transformers. In addition for the onshore wind projects, roughly 500 wind towers and turbines will be required.”
Radebe pointed out that South African manufacturers stood to benefit from this huge demand given the local content commitments made by the IPPs.
“In addition, opportunities for suppliers of local goods and services are available, including the opportunity to transport these huge blades from the ports of entry to the specific wind farms.”
Having signed these bid windows, Radebe stated that there were still other projects in the pipeline to be signed. “Furthermore, we are still giving consideration to the expedited bid window of 1 800 MW (R63.4 billion) awaiting an announcement, depending on the affordability thereof, prices, economics and value for money. This can contribute another 80 000 jobs within the foreseeable future.”
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) meanwhile said yesterday that it viewed the signing of the IPPs “by the communist turned capitalist Minister Jeff Radebe as an insult to the working class and the poor”.
“We are highly angered that the ANC-led government has signed the outstanding 27 IPP contracts,” NUM national spokesperson, Livhuwani Mammburu, said.
“The clean energy project is hijacked by the capitalists for their narrow capitalist interests. The ANC-led government is privatising Eskom through the back door to satisfy their Davos handlers and white monopoly capital.”
Mammburu said that the union would not continue supporting the ANC-led government as it was destroying jobs.
“Workers of this country will not continue to vote and support an organisation which is taking away jobs from the poor. We cannot perpetually campaign and vote for the so-called new dawn as narrated by Cyril Ramaphosa.”
He added that more than 40 000 jobs would be lost in mining, energy and the entire value chain, “rendering Witbank and the surrounding areas into ghost towns”.
“NUM demands that President Cyril Ramaphosa must stop this nonsensical IPPs and must reverse the decision. We are tired of supporting the organisation which is indicating left but turning right.”