Local focus for wind, solar projects

10 May 2013

Constant emphasis will be sought for local companies to participate in the local procurement and supply of components in the remaining rounds of government's renewable energy projects‚ says Energy Minister Dipuo Peters.

Dipuo Peters - Image GCIS

"Following the successful bidding processes‚ we are looking forward to increasing the number of local manufacturers for wind and solar‚" she said on Thursday (9 May).

South Africa has attracted new investments in renewable energy‚ following the conclusion of service and funding agreements between the winning bidders in the first independent power producers' programme.

Peters attended the signing of the service agreements between her department‚ Eskom and the 19 preferred bidders in the second independent power producers' programme‚ in which an additional 1‚043MW will be generated from wind and solar energy by 2015.

According to the minister‚ projects valued at R28bn will be initiated in the current bidding round‚ and an estimated 7‚441 jobs will be created.

"Renewable energy can create jobs and create additional energy for the base load‚" she said.

In the first round of bids‚ government appointed 28 companies, which have to generate 1‚400 MW from the projects that were awarded.

Peters said each preferred bidder has made a commitment to focus on local job creation‚ procure goods and services from local suppliers and encourage shareholding by black people and local communities.

Source: I-Net Bridge

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