In line with the National Development Plan government’s ambitious infrastructure plan is making progress according to Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe.

He was speaking at the inaugural Gauteng Infrastructure Investment Conference in Midrand on Thursday, where he outlined some of government’s investment plans, including projects already underway and progress being made.

Energy infrastructure

“While energy remains one of the most significant constraints to economic growth and the attainment of our development objectives, some successes have been achieved.

“In the four bidding windows for renewable energy generation by independent power producers, 92 projects have been awarded which will generate a total of 6 327 MW. Of these, 37 projects are already operational and are delivering 1 827 MW to the grid.

“Through this programme, a total of R193 billion of private sector investment has been unlocked,” said Minister Radebe.

Other energy projects that are at different stages of development include a co-generation programme, a gas to power programme, a coal base load programme and cross-border hydro power.

Private sector involvement

He said all of these programmes will require significant private sector investment in order to be realised.

“These are only some of the projects which form part of our ambitious infrastructure plan aimed at getting this country working and meeting the expectations of its people.

“We have made some progress but working alone, the pace will simply not be quick enough to turn the situation around and lift this economy to a higher level of growth and development,” said the Minister, adding that there was an urgent need to find win-win solutions for planning, funding and delivering our infrastructure programme.

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