Minister of Energy, Jeff Radebe, says the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Projects (REIPPPs) will create jobs during construction and operation amounting to about 61 000 in rural areas.
This comes after he officially signed the 27 REIPPPs including the Power Purchase Agreements with Eskom on Wednesday.
The 27 projects are said to amount to R 55.92 billion in new direct investment in the energy sector and will be located in different parts of the country.
The department reached this milestone following a long period of uncertainty. But government says it is a demonstration of its commitment to renewable energy and a solid partnership with the private sector.
Radebe says the spin-offs of this project will be felt very broadly in the mainstream economy.
“The local benefits for local communities will be very immense and I am happy about the black participation and ownership in this Independent Power Producer Project ensuring that the issue of black industrialists and broadly black economic empowerment is at the centre of the agenda.”
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