Premier Alan Winde during his State of the Province Address on Thursday. Image: Twitter/@alanwinde
Describing Eskom as the “number one handbrake on economic growth”, he elaborated on the provincial government’s four-point plan to maximise on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement during the State of the Nation Address last week. Small-scale embedded generation, such as solar photovoltaic technology, would also be increased, he said, emphasising that decreased reliance on the national grid was the key to a more stable energy future.
Municipalities in the Western Cape were being supported and encouraged to make similar investments, Winde said. “Gas to power may also make sense in Mossel Bay. Total is already exploring offshore gas there, and while the outcome is several years away, we are starting the work now to make sure that we are able to maximise the major economic advantages which gas provides.”