Eskom and the Kingdom of the Netherlands sign letter of intent to collaborate on the development and implementation of ‘Just’ initiatives to support job creation and community upliftment around Grootvlei Power Station
21 June 2023
Eskom and the Kingdom of the Netherlands signed a letter of intent (LOI) yesterday to further their collaboration on the development and implementation of ‘Just’ initiatives that enable job creation, drive economic growth and improve the local environment surrounding the Grootvlei Power Station as the power station transitions from coal generation into a renewable energy hub.
Eskom and the Kingdom of the Netherlands developed a previous LOI in July of 2022, which paved the way for this LOI through a pre-feasibility study for a “climate-smart, labour-intensive agriculture/horticulture development” at the Grootvlei Power Station in Mpumalanga.
Using technology in agriculture to minimise the effects of climate change while creating jobs in the sector are points of mutual importance for Eskom and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The new LOI provides an integrated and sustainable approach for repurposing the Grootvlei Power station as the site transitions. This marks a milestone in South Africa’s transition away from coal reliance and a key moment in Eskom’s partnership with the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The LOI aligns on the need to develop and implement a smart agriculture demonstration facility, to collaborate further on agricultural activities and to train community members at the Grootvlei Power Station.