Electricity and Control March 2016

ROUND UP

ENERGY + ENVIROFICIENCY: FOCUS ON DRIVES, MOTORS + SWITCHGEAR

CESA committed to partnering with Government for infrastructure service delivery Consulting Engineers SouthAfrica (CESA) supports the clarion call to address institutional and regulatory barriers to business invest- ment and growth, announced Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan during the Budget Speech. over R180 billion over the next three years, as construction of the Medupi, Kusile and Ingula power plants is completed • Transport and logistics infrastructure accounts for nearly R292 billion over the next three years. Transnet is acquiring 232 diesel locomotives for its general freight business and 100 locomotives or its coal lines. There is R3,7 billion to upgrade the Moloto Road, R30 billion for provincial roads maintenance, R18 billion for bus rapid transit projects in cities and refurbishment of over 1 700 Metrorail and Shosholoza Meyl coaches

“It means we must give greater impetus to sectors and industries where we have competitive advantages. And it means being bold where there is need for structural change, innovation and doing things differently.We need agility and urgency in implementation,” stated Gordhan. CESA has, for some time now, been aware that there are inef- ficiencies in the way public-sector infrastructure projects are im- plemented.These shortfalls include lack of planning, inappropriate procurement approaches, lack of project management capacity and capability and lack of other desired technical skills in the public sector. In addition these inefficiencies rob South Africa of multiple billions of Rands annually, which could be effectively used to fund the much-needed increase in infrastructure investment Gordhan explained that international experience has demon- strated that growth is ignited by strong and stable political and economic institutions, sound infrastructure that reduces the cost of doing business and facilitates trade, competition between firms and openness to trade and an environment where firms invest and undertake research and development. CESA welcomes the need for multi-year appropriations for ma- jor capital projects of which reform is under consideration for the following projects: • Energy investment amounts to R70 billion this year and will be

• R62 billion is allocated for the housing subsidy programmes and R34 billion for bulk infrastructure and residential services in metropolitan municipalities • R28 billion will be spent over the MTEF on improving health facilities and R54 billion on • The next phase of the Oliphant’s River water scheme is in progress, completion of the supply to Lukhanji Municipality in the Eastern Cape, completion of the Wolmaranstad wastewater treatment works and construction of the Polihali Dam as part of the Lesotho Highlands project These are some components of the R870 billion public sector infra- structure programme over the next three years. CESA with the backing of its member firms recommits itself to partner with Government and other key role players in finding last- ing and practical solutions, especially in relation to infrastructure development. Enquiries: Dennis Ndaba.Tel. 011 463 2022 or 0739812066 or email dennis@cesa.co.za

PV modules for Round 3 of REIPPP

ARTsolar has recently completed produc- tion of the final consignment of locally produced photovoltaic (PV) modules in the Government’s Round 3 of the Renew- able Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP). “These PV modules were manufac- tured at the ARTsolar plant in KwaZulu- Natal, for the Mulilo Sonnedix Prieska PV solar plant project. This plant, which supplies the electricity it produces to the EskomKromos Substation in the Northern Cape, is the first 75 MW ac size REIPPP project to have PV modules produced by a South African owned company,” says Derek Lawrance, director, ARTsolar. “After winning this Q1 2015 bid, ARTsolar imple- mented an expansion programme tomeet production requirements of this project. was increased to a 24 hour/six day schedule and we expanded our team to 200 staff. Enquiries:Tel. 031 705 7162 or email sales@artsolar.net

Electricity+Control March ‘16

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