Premier Alan Winde has requested the provincial Treasury to release over R1 billion in funding to help protect the province from loadshedding. Winde delivered the annual State of the Province Address on Thursday 16 February.

He emphasised the urgency with which the Western Cape Government is addressing the energy crisis.

Winde reiterated that the provincial government was making sure that municipalities have the resources to ensure safe drinking water and working sewage infrastructure during rolling blackouts through the release of nearly R89 million rand in emergency funding to municipalities.

The money will be used to purchase backup generators for the treatment and supply of water services. Stringent checks and balances are in place to ensure the funds are used transparently, and the funds are being released in accordance with strict guidelines.

R1 billion to respond to the energy crisis in the upcoming three-year budget period

This will go towards:

1. Responding to the short-term impact of loadshedding now on government services;
2. Securing diesel to keep essential public services running during loadshedding;
3. Helping buffer schools from loadshedding;
4. Providing poorer households with “power packs” that help reduce the impact of loadshedding on daily tasks;
5. Assisting SMMEs in assessing and implementing alternative energy options.

Another key intervention is the Municipal Energy Resilience plan, a local government-level programme that develops, supports and builds capacity at municipalities across our province to implement renewable energy projects.

Across the Western Cape 6 756 PV applications have already been approved by municipalities, with a total capacity of 197 MW.

RELATED: The City to pay businesses and residents for their excess power

Infrastructure development will be prioritised

Some key WCG infrastructures projects include:

1. The upgrading of Refinery Interchange on the N7 currently underway,
2. The construction of a by-pass linking TR02101 and TR02501 including an interchange around Malmesbury,
3. The Stanford to Gansbaai rehabilitation, as well as
4. The Calitzdorp to Oudtshoorn rehabilitation of District Road 1688.
5. Through the Rapid School Build Programme, 842 new classrooms were delivered this year of which 662 classrooms have already been completed.

Social housing

For the year ahead, the province has committed to creating 9395 housing opportunities.

The provincial government’s ”Help Me Buy a Home” initiative has shown success.

We exceeded the programme’s target to deliver 2 000 units this year. We delivered 2074 units through this programme. In August, I was privileged to share in the joy of beneficiaries who moved into their brand-new homes at the De Hoop housing project in Malmesbury. The first phase of this initiative delivered 395 houses at a cost of R56 million. It will eventually create 3 468 housing opportunities.

Construction has also commenced at the Goodwood station initiative consisting of 1055 units.

The province has delivered 394 social housing opportunities. Among the projects are:

• Maitland Mews with 204 units;
• Regent Villas with 60 units;
• Conradie Park Phase 1 with 130 units, with the whole of the Conradie Park development delivering 3 500 units in total.

You can read Winde’s full address HERE.