Thank you, Chairperson. The ACDP acknowledges the important work being done by the Minister and her department, and will support the Budget Vote.
A key priority, we would suggest, stems from the fact that, as the Deputy Minister and others have said, the world is in turmoil with climate change, the rapid depletion of fossil fuels and the deterioration of energy infrastructures.
The South African public is acutely aware of the looming threat of blackouts, the mismanagement of power and water delivery, and the time spans required to rectify the situation. The public is also aware of the taxes that will be levied on produce with high carbon intensities and that, because of our dependence on coal, jobs will be threatened if the status quo is maintained. The public is also aware of the high cost of wind and solar energy, and their so far relatively small impact on overall power requirements. We are at a crossroads, with a dismal future for our children if we do not have the courage to make definite changes in the strategy to tackle these challenges.
This is where the department can play a critical role, as emerging technologies exist which integrate power supply, as well as waste and wastewater remediation, in the context of local communities. These technologies will provide the power requirements of a community while remediating and recycling water, as well as eliminating the waste of the community at its point of generation, thereby eliminating the need to transport the waste at huge expense to taxpayers.
These technologies have been patented in South Africa by South Africans, and their commercialisation will open new market spaces that will create massive employment opportunities for our people and opportunities for the export of technical know-how to other countries. South Africa could then have the opportunity to generate licence revenues that would substantially provide for the establishment of these facilities throughout Africa.
The ACDP appeals to you, hon Minister, to urgently investigate this unique opportunity for us as South Africans to take a leadership role in delivering leading edge solutions globally for service delivery. We can pioneer the transition from a carbon-based economy to hydrogen.
I will forward the relevant information to you. Obviously, other departments, such as those responsible for water, energy, health and local government, should be involved but this needs to be spearheaded by somebody. It looks very exciting. Thank you.