Infrastructure, Innovation & Technology News South Africa

Govt plans R22bn 'green' investment to create 50,000 jobs

Speaking at a National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) conference dealing with social ownership of SA's renewable energy sector, Energy Minister Dipuo Peters said that the Department of Energy will seek to ensure that government commits R22 billion over the next five years to green projects, aiming to create 50,000 jobs in the renewable energy sector, Business Live reports.

"We want to ensure that the state, through its entities, invests R22 billion in green projects with a commitment of R3 billion towards local manufacturing in the next five years," Peters said, adding that it is expected that - at the same time - 50,000 jobs will be created in the renewable energy sector. The Minister emphasised that foreign companies can invest in SA's energy sector, but they must bring with them their technology for local companies do adopt.

Peters explained further that coal will not disappear as an energy source any time soon, but will rather be replaced as the main contributor by green methods like solar and wind power. According to Business Live, the Minister said that the Department of Energy looks forward to the time when an all-South African company will win a tender for construction in the renewable energy sector as it will have the right technology and skills needed.

Read the full article on www.businesslive.co.za.

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