Should the Western Cape Energy Resilience Programme (WCERP) maintain its current trajectory, a total of 1 800 MW of new power will have been installed in the region through the course of the 2026/27 financial year, says the Western Cape premier’s energy special adviser Alwie Lester.
At the current rate, the province will meet its target of 5 700 MW of new energy generation, well ahead of the WCERP’s target of 2035, Lester noted at last week’s meeting of the Western Cape Integrated Energy and Water Council.
Premier Alan Winde used the meeting to urge provincial Cabinet members, heads of departments, mayors, municipal managers and other stakeholders to maintain the momentum in making the Western Cape completely energy and water resilient.
He noted that loadshedding had indeed abated, adding that the national energy system appeared to be stable, but said this did not mean that the country was out of the woods yet.
“We must push ahead with the full implementation of WCERP in our region and demonstrate to other provinces that through collaboration, we can enhance our power and water security processes. All of this must be prioritised towards growing our economy.”
