Renewable energy IPP to promote local manufacturing: minister

Initially, she said, when SA was criticised for discarding the renewable feed-in tariff (Refit) mechanism in favour of a bid process. "Since then, the situation has made a significant turn, predominantly in favour of the bid process."

Future decisions on the matter, the minister said, "will be guided by the need to create a rolling programme which will provide for sustainable employment through local manufacturing, especially in the key components for solar and wind power generation." This, she believes, will "the necessary comfort for the private sector to invest in manufacturing plants in South Africa." She reiterated that the programme must contribute to the growth of local content, and promote local manufacturing. "This," she told ESI-Africa, "remains a critical non-negotiable, and one that we will track and monitor diligently."

Read the full article on www.esi-africa.com.