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Earlier this week, Alderman Xanthea Limberg, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, took part in the inaugural Just Energy Transition (JET) Municipal Conference, which was hosted by the Presidency on August 26-27, 2024, at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand. The event brought together key stakeholders to discuss the implementation of the JET Municipal Portfolio, as outlined in the JET Implementation Plan (JET IP), and to explore financing options for green energy transitions within municipalities.
Alderman Limberg expressed her satisfaction with the conference’s focus on the critical role municipalities, especially metropolitan areas, play in advancing South Africa’s energy security and resilience goals. She emphasized that with 165 out of the country’s 257 municipalities operating as electricity service providers, local governments are pivotal in realizing JET objectives and fostering the development of the renewable energy market. This involvement not only helps attract investment but also opens up new opportunities across the energy sector.
The City of Cape Town, a leader in proactive energy security initiatives, has committed to significant infrastructure investments, including R9.4 billion in 2023/24 and an ambitious R39.5 billion planned from 2024 to 2027. These investments include a planned R4 billion expansion and upgrade of the city’s electricity grid, paving the way for a future powered by diverse energy sources and small-scale generators.
During the panel discussion on ‘JET financing in the municipal sector,’ Alderman Limberg shared the City’s strategies for financial management, which have enabled Cape Town to develop and implement a multi-billion rand infrastructure and energy resilience program. She also endorsed the conference’s outcome of establishing a JET Municipal Council, which will focus on capacity development, financing, and energy access for municipalities.
Alderman Limberg underscored the importance of the JET initiative for South Africa’s clean energy future, sustainable development, and economic growth. She highlighted that the transition would help alleviate energy poverty, harness new energy supplies, and optimize energy usage across communities, businesses, and industries. The conference also provided the City with valuable insights from stakeholders nationwide, reinforcing its commitment to achieving a sustainable energy future. |
