Radebe: Renewable IPPs to create over 114 000 'job years'

Renewable independent power producer projects could create over 114 000 "job years", says Energy Minister Jeff Radebe.

According to Radebe, a job year is equivalent to a full-time employment opportunity for one person for one year. 

He was responding through a written reply to a question by EFF MP Pebane Moteka about how many jobs would be created by each independent power producer company.

Radebe said that only the renewable energy power producer procurement programme (REIPPP) had started.

"Under the REIPPP programme a total number of 112 projects have been procured, and it is envisaged that these projects will create 114 266 job years over the construction and 20-year operations period.

• READ: Radebe: IPPs did not cause job losses in coal sector

Earlier this year, government signed 27 renewable independent power producer projects, worth over R56bn. Radebe previously said the projects would create over 58 000 jobs. 

Unions had raised concerns that it would lead to job losses in the coal sector, but Radebe told Parliament’s portfolio committee on energy that IPPs had nothing to do with the job losses in the coal sector.

According to the minister’s reply, over 68 000 job years will be created in the Northern Cape, including construction and operating periods, as the most projects (59) will be constructed in that province.

This is followed by the Eastern Cape, which will create over 18 000 job years, as 17 projects will be located there.

Over 11 000 job years will be created in the Western Cape, as 14 projects will be located there.

There is only one project each in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, creating 246 job years and 336 job years respectively.