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Renewable Energy Sector is competing with the Automotive Sector in terms of investment value inside the East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ).

According to ELIDZ’s Ayanda Ramncwana there has been remarkable growth in Renewable Energy investments over the last 5 years.  She was speaking during a media tour of the ELIDZ that was organised by the Department of Trade and Industry.

Ramncwana said that of the ELIDZ’s secured private sector investment worth R4 billion, 54% is in the renewable energy sector.  This is an indication of the growing sector diversity in the zone.

“The ELIDZ is progressing well in this sector with two renewable energy investors in solar PV manufacturing as well as inverter manufacturing already secured.  The ELIDZ Science and Technology Park’s (STP) focus on supporting growth through the incubation of new technologies also remain critical to the development of this sector,” she said.

The ELIDZ also has a growing pipeline boasting R2.5 billion worth of renewable energy investment in the advanced stages, once activated these investment have a direct job creation potential of 900 jobs.

“The ELIDZ’s strategy in terms of renewable energy sector is two-pronged, the zone is targeting investors both in renewable energy component manufacturing and assembly as well as the production and transfer of green power,” said Ramncwana.

She also said the ELIDZ has packaged strategic energy generation projects that optimise the existing infrastructure, institutional arrangements with key players and other locational strengths. She said these projects include Municipal waste-to energy, landfill gas, Municipal sewerage works biodigester and biomass gasification plant.

“Through its Science and Technology Park, the ELIDZ has partnered with the Master Artisans Academy of South Africa to establish a state-of-the art Renewable Energy Centre of Excellence. The centre offers various internationally accredited training programmes to support the growing renewable energy sector,” added Ramncwana.

According to the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, Special Economic Zones are an important component of the industrial policy. The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) intends to coordinate government-wide efforts to ensure that Special Economic Zones effectively contribute to the country’s industrial development goal and drive industrialisation.

Issued by Department of Trade and Industry