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The DA welcomes the R2.047 billion budget allocated towards the Department of the Premier for the 2023/24 financial period. This Budget will focus on energy security and protecting the people of the Western Cape against Eskom’s rolling blackouts.

The Provincial Treasury has allocated R1.1 billion over the next three financial years to fund the Western Cape’s energy resilience programmes.

During the Standing Committee on Premier today, the Department of the Premier revealed that it is leading the province’s efforts in implementing the programmes associated with the R1.1 billion allocation. The Premier has established the Premier's Energy Council to identify and action solutions to the energy crisis; including directing and overseeing the implementation of the Western Cape Government's urgent action to relieve both the immediate impacts of load shedding and its medium to long-term energy strategy.

The Department of the Premier will oversee a total of R85.650 million of the 2023/24 Budget allocation towards energy. These allocations include:
• Emergency load shedding packs: R60 million
• Municipal Pool Buying: R3.3 million
• Western Cape Integrated Resource Plan: R7.5 million
• Core energy team internal resourcing: R5.150 million
• Demand side management programme: R9.7 million

I am delighted to see the Department of the Premier leading the charge in investing in the province’s energy security towards making the Western Cape the first load shedding-free province. I, furthermore, urge residents of the province to tune in weekly for Premier Alan Winde's Digicon which can be accessed through his social media pages.

The DA also welcomes the R1.378 million allocated towards Centres for e-Innovation. New Cape Access centres, including a mobile e-Centre, are planned to provide public access to ICTs in hotspot and deep rural areas where brick and mortar structures may not be practical.

The Western Cape Government's measures for tackling the energy crisis will benefit not only positively affect the provincial economy, but also job creation, access to critical services as well as assisting businesses to thrive.

Issued by Christopher Fry, MPP - DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Premier and Constitutional Matters