renewable energy Archives

South Africa’s SEZs driven by renewable energy

The Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) has a mixed-energy response – including gas to power and solar photovoltaic (PV) cells with battery storage – to ensure operations based in the manufacturing hub are not brought to a halt by power outages and to comply with government imperatives for onboarding green energy solutions. A key challenge to business operations within South Africa is ensuring energy supply remains constant, despite regular nationwide loadshedding. “This has led us to find innovative solutions,” TASEZ CEO Dr Bheka Zulu explained during a fireside chat at the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium of South Africa (SIDSSA) in Cape Town on Tuesday 19 March 2024. “We are currently underway with a gas to power plant project, which will make 20MVA available, along with a solar PV and battery storage solution that will add another 10MVA.” However, as Africa’s first automotive city – based in Silverton – continues to grow, it needs to find more energy, Dr Zulu added. SIDSSA, an annual event, brought together stakeholders from South Africa and across the continent to discuss ways to drive infrastructure development, which has been identified as the key driver in growing the economy. SIDSSA provided a platform for discussions and partnerships in the infrastructure investment landscape, with a focus on accelerating economic activity through strategic infrastructure plans. SEZs are ideally placed to accelerate industrialisation in the country; according to the Chief Operations Officer of the Industrial Zones Programme at the Industrial Development Corporation, Stieneke Jensma. “We started a programme focusing on energy security, specifically regarding SEZs. The idea is to collaborate and to ensure that what we are delivering solutions that promote industrialisation.” Strategic partnerships are key in implementing green energy projects, according to TASEZ’s CEO. TASEZ’s approach to energy takes cognisance of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals – particularly Goal 7, which is linked to the provision of clean energy; Goal 9, which aims to build resilient infrastructure using innovative technology; and Goal 13, which is about taking action to combat the impact of climate change.

Green TASEZ ready for investors

News / By Jenny Tennant

Investors are crucial for the strengthening of South Africa’s economy, and the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) is ensuring it provides the best possible business environment for international automotive manufacturers and component producers. The manufacturing sector is one of the key drivers of the country’s gross domestic product, with the automotive industry providing direct links to the global market and local entrepreneurs. The special economic zone’s (SEZ’s) focus on attracting investment is in keeping with the South Africa Investment Strategy which aims to position South Africa as a preferred African investment destination, and in so doing, attempt to meet the National Development Plan target of 30% of gross fixed capital formation to GDP by 2030. The South African Investment Strategy aims to attract and facilitate quality foreign direct investment and domestic direct investment and ensuring the provision of such investment is well-coordinated and anchored by quality institutions and robust economic infrastructure networks. The national strategy plans to achieve this through: TASEZ is ideally positioned to answer the call of the investment strategy: it operates in a high priority sector – manufacturing; it offers green solutions to its clients; and is forward thinking in ensuring it embraces the latest technology available to ensure its premises are energy resilient and technologically advances. Known as Africa’s first automotive city, TASEZ is strategically located in the economic heart of the county and is able to offer unparalleled access to markets across Africa and beyond. With its base close to existing OEMs and an existing automotive value chain, access to a highly skilled workforce, and proximity to leading academic, research and development institutions, investors in TASEZ can tap into a wealth of human capital and knowledge. This advantage allows for the seamless integration of cutting-edge technologies and innovative manufacturing. As TASEZ CEO Dr Bheka Zulu notes: “With increasing urbanisation and economic growth across the continent, investing in TASEZ offers an opportunity not only to serve the domestic market but also to expand and tap into the burgeoning markets across Africa.” Currently products manufactured in the SEZ are exported to more than 150 destinations world-wide. In keeping with their determination to provide the best facilities possible for investors, representatives from TASEZ are taking part in the Africa Energy Indaba, on in Cape Town between 5 – 7 March 2024, where they are investigating the latest trends in the energy sector, including renewable energy. A primary element that makes TASEZ an attractive destination for investors is its commitment to green manufacturing. “By embracing renewable energy solutions and reducing its carbon footprint, the SEZ is taking significant strides toward creating an environmentally conscious and responsible manufacturing ecosystem,” Dr Zulu notes. In line with global trends, TASEZ is also promoting the development of electric vehicles. “By encouraging the development of New Energy Vehicles (NEV) and their components, our SEZ is driving a revolution that is expected to reshape the entire automotive landscape.” As the global automotive industry undergoes a profound technological evolution, TASEZ is geared up to take advantage of the opportunities such change brings.