'Through our investment in infrastructure development, including an allocation of more than R4 billion in grid infrastructure upgrades to support the growing renewable energy system, we are showcasing our commitment to development.

'Our local energy strategy is being implemented through a deliberate, phased approach. Cape Town is in the concluding stages of constructing South Africa’s first municipal-owned utility-scale ground-mounted solar PV plant in Atlantis. Commissioning of this milestone project is expected during this year and will immediately add nearly 10 megawatts of solar energy into our grid,' said Alderman Limberg.

Limberg went on to mention several of the City's projects, including a larger solar PV plant in Paardevlei, Cash-for-Power which transforms consumers into prosumers, Wheeling and a clean energy open market procurement intention.

‘I am pleased to announce our intention to procure additional clean energy on the open market through a further two key programmes, our Waste-to-Energy and Energy Traders tenders, both of which have recently been publicly released for bidding.

'Working with our partners, we have secured technical assistance from various international institutions, including grant funding to further our developmental agenda and improve our systems. We look to also maintain and expand our existing infrastructure fleet, including investment in the life-extension of our Steenbras Pumped Storage facility which serves a strategic purpose for the City.

'We must do more to organise ourselves and further strengthen our institutions, invest in infrastructure, improve policy certainty and develop and share financial and technical expertise needed to unlock our own immense potential. By working together across sectors and borders, we can mobilise the capital, expertise and innovation needed to drive meaningful progress and inclusive growth,' concluded Alderman Limberg.