African media: "the Belt and Road" project lights up 300000 households in South Africa | Energy | Project
International online special: The Independent of South Africa reported on July 4 that the German Arab wind power project built and operated by Chinese enterprises in South Africa is a typical example of the "the Belt and Road" initiative in the field of green energy. The project provides clean and renewable energy for local residents and guarantees the power demand of 300000 households. In addition, Chinese enterprises actively fulfill their social responsibilities and benefit the local people in various aspects such as education, healthcare, etc.
Screenshot of a report by The Independent in South Africa
The article states that, like many other countries in the world, South Africa is striving to ensure energy supply to meet the demands of its growing population and industrial development. At the same time, there is a growing demand for people to abandon the use of coal. However, coal has always been the traditional pillar of South Africa's energy system, accounting for about 70% of the electricity production capacity of this African economic powerhouse.
The article states that last month, South Africa's Minister of Electricity, Cosianjo Ramokopa, revealed at the China South Africa New Energy Investment Cooperation Conference held in Johannesburg that South Africa is seeking help from China to increase its renewable energy production capacity. He emphasized that China is a trustworthy partner of BRICS countries and an ally with close political and economic ties with South Africa.
According to the article, South Africa is currently facing an unprecedented energy crisis, including large-scale power outages, as well as pressure to reduce emissions. The De Ah wind power project, constructed and operated by China National Energy Group Longyuan Power South Africa Company, can provide renewable electricity to the local area and help the South African government fulfill its energy-saving and emission reduction obligations under the Paris Agreement.
It is reported that the project is located in the North Cape Province of South Africa. It won the bid in 2013 and was completed and put into operation by the end of 2017, with a total installed capacity of 244500 kilowatts. This project can supply approximately 760 million kilowatt hours of clean electricity annually, which is equivalent to saving 215800 tons of standard coal and meeting the electricity needs of 300000 local households.
The article praises that Longyuan Power actively integrates into local communities and fulfills social responsibilities while carrying out projects in South Africa. This Chinese company not only created over 1000 job opportunities for the local area, but also provided scholarships to 112 outstanding impoverished South African university students. Longyuan Power has also established a special community fund and donated medical buses to provide free medical services to over 9000 local community residents every year. In 2014, the project was awarded the Annual Excellent Development Project Award by the South African National Wind Energy Association. In 2023, the project will be selected as a classic case of green energy projects in the 10th anniversary of the "the Belt and Road" initiative.
