Western Cape moves one step closer to energy independence following launch of Energy Resilience Fund

5 September 2021

The DA welcomes the Western Cape Provincial Government’s launch of the Municipal Energy Resilience Fund. The fund moves the province’s Municipal Energy Resilience (MER) Initiative one step closer to ensure an energy secure future for the Western Cape.

The launch of the fund last week by Western Cape Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, David Maynier, will see R13 million made available to qualifying municipalities for  preparatory work, such as Electricity Master Plans and Cost of Supply Studies, to get renewable energy projects off the ground.

The ultimate goal of these projects is to protect Western Cape residents and businesses from Eskom’s rolling blackouts by helping municipalities build energy security through renewable energy sources.

The MER Initiative has already gotten off to a successful start after the request for information (RFI) period solicited information from more than 100 potential energy generation projects.

The DA congratulates the Western Cape Provincial Government and Minister Maynier on highlighting that where the DA governs, progress is being made towards freeing residents from Eskom’s monopoly over electricity generation.

Eskom has for years failed to produce enough electricity to meet the demands of its consumers, both households and businesses. The real cost of Eskom’s mismanagement is evident in the increases in electricity tariffs experienced by South Africans across the country.

Issued by Kevin Mileham, DA Shadow Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, 5 September 2021