DA WC welcomes City of Cape Town’s R1.2 billion plant to escape loadshedding

17 April 2023

The DA in the Western Cape welcomes the City of Cape Town’s announcement of a R1.2 billion solar PV plant, that will shield City residents from at least one full stage of loadshedding.

The plant, to be located just outside of Somerset West, will generate up to 60 MW of renewable energy, and will receive international support from the C40 Cities Finance Facility (CFF).

The CFF offers cities both technical and financial support in green energy projects, with a just energy transition as the aim.

In total, the City of Cape Town will spend R2.3 billion over the next three years to become South Africa’s first loadshedding free city.

MPP Christopher Fry says: “The DA is once again showing how it is the only party with any idea how to end loadshedding. I applaud the City of Cape Town for showing what is possible with innovative and forward-thinking government.

It is important for the residents of this country to realise that while the ANC is spinning its wheels attempting to fix Eskom, with no progress in sight, there is a strong alternative available to them. It is only where the DA governs that any progress is being made in freeing our people and our economy from the shackles of ANC-sponsored loadshedding.”

Issued by Christopher Fry, DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Energy, 17 April 2023