South Africa will resolve its electricity problems, according to President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“Much as we are still dealing with the challenges of load shedding with Eskom, if we look through the tunnel, we see the light. We are going to resolve our energy challenges,” said President Ramaphosa.
On Thursday, the President made a walkabout at the Redstone Solar Plant in Postmasburg, Northern Cape.
The Redstone Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) tower project, with a capacity of 100 MW, is part of South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP).
The nation is now facing power outages.
The REIPPP proposes to add megawatts to the country’s power grid via private sector investment in wind, biomass, and small hydro, among other things.
On a national scale, the REIPPP includes 92 projects throughout the country, totaling 6 296 MW, of which the Northern Cape contributes 3 563 MW, with 3 249 MW currently operating. The Redstone CSP facility contributes 100 MW to the remaining 314 MW under development.
In a statement to the media, President Ramaphosa thanked the Saudi Kingdom for supporting the project
According to President Ramaphosa, the Saudi government invested more over R12 billion in the project.
This donation strengthens bilateral ties, as President Ramaphosa just returned from an official visit to Saudi Arabia.
During the visit last week, the two nations inked 17 Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) in a variety of industries, including agriculture, fisheries, mining, renewable energy, security, transportation, and aquaculture.
Other memorandums of understanding signed include those on the formation of a Joint Business Council, military industry and procurement cooperation, and geological survey collaboration.
“For all of us, this is great day because we are no longer just turning the sod. We are actually seeing the real infrastructure build,” President Ramaphosa said, adding that the project will attract investment to the country.
Given the country’s unemployment issues, the President believes it is encouraging to see skills transfer across partners.
The Redstone CSP Plant project has so far produced 972 employment, with a total of 1500 jobs planned by the end of the project. During the operations and maintenance phase, around 100 permanent jobs will be generated.
President Ramaphosa also thanked ACWA Power for providing bursaries to young people.
ACWA Power is a Saudi power generating and water desalination plant developer, investor, and operator with operations in 13 countries.
The plant was unveiled during the South African Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium (SIDSA) in 2020 and is part of the gazetted Strategic Integrated Project (SIP 8). In accordance with the Infrastructure Development Act 23 of 2014, it deals with the escalation of regulatory approvals and the unblocking of development difficulties.
The visit to the facility occurred ahead of the Presidential Imbizo, which will take place on Friday at Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium in Upington.
The sixth Presidential Imbizo, themed ‘Leave No One Behind,’ will allow community people and stakeholder groups to meet with the President and representatives from all three branches of government.
The community participation will allow residents to ask questions and make suggestions on how service delivery might be changed to better suit their needs.
The imbizo will aid in the identification of problems in the ZF Mgcawu District that may impede service delivery and economic prospects.
This consultative conference will also highlight successful initiatives and provide an opportunity for government representatives to exchange information with communities.