A total of 43 major infrastructure projects, with an estimated combined investment value of R3.2-trillion, have been identified by the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission (PICC), which was set up last year by President Jacob Zuma to oversee the implementation of priority projects.

The list was published in the 2012 Budget Review and included projects worth R845-billion that were anticipated to be implemented over the medium-term expenditure framework period to March 31, 2015.

Included in the list is an Eskom nuclear fleet build programme, which had an associated price tag of R300-billion, well below the R1-trillion estimated in media reports. The programme is designed to deliver 9 600 MW of nuclear capacity by 2029 and is described as being in the “final stages of consideration before financial proposals can be determined”.

Ahead of the 2012 Budget, Energy Minister Dipuo Peters indicated that the team assessing the risks of the nuclear programme in light of last year’s Fukushima disaster, in Japan, would present its findings to Cabinet soon. Thereafter a decision would be made on how South Africa would proceed.

Of the projects set down from delivery over the coming three years, just under R300-billion has been earmarked for the energy sector and a further R262-billion for the transport and logistics environment. Also listed were four water megaprojects with a combined estimated investment value of more than R45-billion, housing projects worth R5-billion and telecoms initiatives worth R1.8-billion.

Along with the nuclear programme, which is listed under a heading ‘major projects in concept, prefeasibility and feasibility stages’, are a range of other energy transport, water, liquid fuels, education and hospital developments. Included in the list are several large crossborder initiatives including the Grand Inga hydroelectric scheme, as well as other hydroelectric, gas and coal developments across the region.

Other high-profile projects featuring as projects under investigation were the 5 000 MW Northern Cape solar park, the high-speed rail link between Durban and Johannesburg, the Moloto rail project, the Mthombo crude oil refinery, which is proposed for the Eastern Cape, and several Transnet projects related to raising manganese, iron-ore and coal export capacity.

Of the list of projects being implemented, Eskom’s R121-billion Kusile and R99-billion Medupi power stations featured prominently, along with the 3 725 MW renewable independent power producer programme, which is ascribed a project cost of R120-billion.

Transnet’s port and rail projects are also reflected along with the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s R80-billion plan to acquire a new rolling stock fleet over the coming 20 years.

The largest water projects listed include the R16.1-billion Olifants river dam and distribution project, the R15-billion Mokolo-Crocodile water augmentation project and the R7.5-billion Lesotho Highlands second phase.