While the global shift moves to more green and sustainable energy it seems the Western Cape is at the forefront of the move. This according to the provincial government.
Mireille Wenger, Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, recently visited the Atlantis Special Economic Zone (ASEZ) to share her sentiments. “The demand for a green, more resilient future has never been greater,” she said. “For the world, for South Africa and for us right here in the Western Cape. We must position the Western Cape to take full advantage of this demand.
“Not only because we need to mitigate the effects of load shedding and the resulting economic damage, but also because of the immense potential the greentech sector has to attract investment, grow our regional economy and create jobs. As the majority shareholder in the Atlantis Special Economic Zone for Green Technology, we have worked hard to support the establishment of this greentech, export-orientated manufacturing hub and to establish the Western Cape as Africa’s Green Economy capital.”
The Atlantis SEZ, with its greentech theme, speaks to the needs of investors in greentech manufacturing and is positioned as a cutting-edge destination for those wanting to supply their technologies to independent power producers bidding on the national government renewable energy programme.
Staff of the Atlantis SEZ held a meeting with Wenger, which included a site visit of the Special Economic Zone land. In addition to the site tour, a visit was paid to Grosvenor Primary, which is one of two sites currently hosting dedicated projects to support small-scale emerging farmers in growing their crops and in turn their incomes. This forms part of the ASEZCo funded Food Security and Incubation Programme benefiting 21 local farmers.
The team also visited the solar geyser project in Witsand. The project has resulted in 70 households receiving a solar powered geyser. The geysers used for this project are made from recycled plastic, further highlighting the potential of the circular economy to support livelihoods and providing means of alternative service delivery. Another 30 households in Pella were also fitted with these solar geysers.
“In the Western Cape we know that if we work harder and smarter we can unlock the tremendous value of the green economy,” Wegner pointed out.
“By removing barriers to economically viable green economy projects we can stimulate private sector investment, grow the economy and enable the creation of jobs for the people of the Western Cape.”
According to Dr Pierre Voges, ASEZ’s CEO, Minister Wenger is supportive of the Atlantis SEZ Company’s holistic approach. This, he says, includes to development, not only ensuring a competitive return on investment for the investor, a sustainable economic impact on the community.
