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Inauguration of the Droogfontein Solar Power Plant

Remarks by the Premier of the Northern Cape, Ms Sylvia Lucas, on the occasion of the Inauguration of the Droogfontein Solar Power Plant on 15 May 2014

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Programme Director
The Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Tshililo Michael Masutha
The Economic Development Manager of    Droogfontein Solar Power, Ms Marion Green Thompson.
Chief Executive Officer of Globeleq, Mr Mikael Karlsson
Solar Power Role-players
Distinguished Guests
Members of the Community
Ladies and Gentlemen

As the Northern Cape Provincial Government, we are deeply pleased to be part of the Inauguration of the Droogfontein Solar Power Plant. This is one of the important and bold strides taken by Globeleq in shaping the energy sector, especially with regard to intensifying our efforts of scaling up the production of renewable energy and curbing the effects of climate change.

Indeed your efforts will assist us in addressing the green economy value chain to create employment and to alleviate poverty.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the path we are taking as a province and country, and we are grateful that you have committed the technologies and financial resources to our province for investment in the solar energy initiatives.

The Northern Cape Province has abundant renewable energy sources. We are best suited and strategically poised for a number of solar and wind renewable energy projects.

These projects will be responsible for creating a number of green jobs in the province and also contributing to the clean energy which we have started to contribute to the national electricity grid. These projects will also contribute in reducing South Africa’s green house gas emissions at a national level.

We need to harness these in building an inclusive and sustainable green economy. Protecting and preserving our environment is important for us and is one of the goals of this government.  Moreover, the building of sustainable, vibrant communities is another one of our goals within the context of the Provincial Government’s developmental agenda.

To this end, promoting and supporting the use of alternative energy projects will be actively encouraged.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Central University of Technology’s commitment to the development of accredited training programmes in South Africa with the express purpose of transferring knowledge and expertise to contribute to developing the local solar industry is commendable. This will assist us to close the skills gap along the clean energy value chain

We congratulate all partners in this project for the sterling work displayed here today by positioning the Northern Cape Province as one of the energy hubs of South Africa and indeed the world. We must move forward together towards an environmentally safer future and economic prosperity for all.

Once again, on behalf of the Provincial Government and the people of the Northern Cape, I extend our deep gratitude to all the roleplayers who have contributed to the resounding success of this project.

I thank you

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