The Atlantis Special Economic Developement’s (Asez) moving forward lays a foundation for the green-energy manufacturing supply chain and offers more hope to residents.
So said Mayco Member for Economic Growth James Vos at the official sod-turning ceremony for construction of civil infrastructure for Zone 1.
“Last month at the Enlit Africa Summit,” he told guests, “I delivered the opening speech where I told delegates that as load shedding accelerates the energy evolution toward the uptake of reliable power supply instruments such as small- to utility-scale embedded generation, dispatchable energy solutions.
“This includes battery storage, demand side management and wheeling, makes it clear how urgent investment in new technology and innovation has become.
“I can confirm that as the City [of Cape Town] we will continue to look at innovative ways to reduce dependence on Eskom.
“We have made great progress in our endeavour to end load-shedding in Cape Town over time by increasingly starting to make use of innovative energy solutions.”
Vos explained that the City is looking to expanding and strengthening its network, and ensuring access to more affordable, safe and reliable energy supply to local homes and businesses.
Part of the Enlit event was the Green Hub Pavilion that was set up to display local SMMEs’ services, products and business partners to the rest of the continent.
The City will continue to position Cape Town as a globally competitive business destination through the InvestCapeTown initiative.
“We will also continue to fund our strategic business partner GreenCape,” Vos said, “as well as our land contribution towards the Atlantis Special Economic Zone, and we will help businesses to grow Cape Town’s green economy.”
Along with the development a dedicated Investment Facilitation Office in Atlantis has been opened in the recent years to help with business retention and expansion.
Load shedding and the continuing electricity crisis was front of mind on the day, and Vos says on a continent that is home to 60% of the best solar resources globally and wind supply, Africa’s demand for electricity can be met 250 times over.
“Meanwhile, we could unlock 3,5% more economy-wide jobs,” he added.
He said the City is proud to be a part of an initiative that will help to meet the metro and province’s existing and future energy demands and that is an example to the rest of South Africa.
