The current energy crisis that Eskom finds itself in has left the Gauteng government no option but to make extra plans in order to keep the lights on.

Gauteng Premier David Makhura said that they have been working with local municipalities on plans for an extra 1200 megawatts of electricity to be generated by increasing the capacity of the current coal-fired power stations in Tshwane (Rooiwal and Pretoria West Power) and Joburg (Kelvin Station).

This is all part of Makhura’s plan that would see Gauteng invest R32 million over the next four years, and Gauteng municipalities to spend R94 billion over the next five years, to improve service delivery, infrastructure, while the premier said R300 million has been ear-marked for ICT.

“Gauteng’s infrastructure investment programme will focus on public transport, broadening the Energy Mix, ICT and Broadband and Water and Sanitation,” the Province said in a statement.

He added that all government buildings in the province will be fitted with solar panels. “Our estimate is that we have available 8 million square metres of roof top space suitable for this and will be able to generate 300-500 megawatts of electricity.”

In addition to the solar panels, Makhura added that all existing lightbulbs in government offices will be replaced with LED lights, and added that the province has already replaced 45 000 lights in healthcare facilities.

In terms of ICT, he said that Gauteng will support an initiative by the University of Johannesburg and the private sector to build a manufacturing plant and a solar plant.

“This project, which is worth R7 billion, will supply 500 mega-watts of solar energy and will create more than 15 000 direct and indirect jobs,” he explained.

In total, the government says that it will invest more than R300 million over the next three years on ICT infrastructure.