First RFP under Integrated Renewable Energy and Resource Efficiency Programme published

Source: Gallo/Getty

“By alleviating at least 3,740MW from the national grid through the programme’s energy efficiency and renewable energy interventions, the government building portfolio could potentially add the same capacity as two Koeberg power plants and reduce load shedding by 3–4 stages,” minister of public works and infrastructure Sihle Zikalala said at a media briefing in Pretoria.

Projected savings and socioeconomic benefits from the programme over its 30-year term include:

• Up to R1.3tn direct contribution to the GDP;
  
• The creation of over 13,100 new small businesses, majority of which would be Black-owned enterprises;
  
• An estimated 503,000 jobs created;
  
• Skills development opportunities for more than 475,000 people;
  
• A reduction in energy use intensity of between 22% and 45% in the public sector;
  
• A water use intensity reduction of between 30% and 55% in the public sector;
  
• A reduction in waste and diversion of 50% of current waste from landfill sites, saving 12 million tons; and
  
• A reduction in CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions by over 54.5 megatons.