- Ramaphosa said the country’s largest private solar energy project, with over 390,000 solar panels, will add 256 MW to the grid.
- These projects are expected to attract around ZAR 400 billion in private investment and create numerous jobs.
South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has announced that the country has over 22,500 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy projects underway. These projects are expected to attract around ZAR 400 billion in private investment and create numerous jobs.
Among these is the country’s largest private solar energy project, which will add 256 MW to the grid with over 390,000 solar panels.
The president disclosed this while giving his first speech since forming a new coalition government after his African National Congress party lost its parliamentary majority in May.
“We have seen, for example, how the Northern Cape has already attracted billions of rands of investment in renewable energy projects. South Africa is undergoing a renewable energy revolution that is expected to be the most significant driver of growth and job creation in the next decade and beyond.
“We will see more of these projects taking shape across our country in the months and years to come. As these investments reach fruition, more jobs will be created.”
Recall that in February, Ramaphosa stated that South Africa had overcome the worst of its power shortages through tax incentives, investments, expansion of rooftop solar capacity, and new transmission lines.
However, the country’s leading industry association has questioned the recent 10 per cent import tariff on solar panels imposed by the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa.