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NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO.: 286
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 20 AUGUST 2010
Mr Z Mlenzana (COPE-EC) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:
(1) Whether his department has further explored the feasibility of
creating 300 000 jobs in the (a) solar and (b) bio-fuels field in the
next five years; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so,
what are the relevant details;
(2) whether any international experience supported such a conjecture; if
not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
CW367E
REPLY
(1) The IDC has completed a preliminary study on the job creation
potential of the Green Economy in South Africa, as part of work for
the new growth path. More detailed work is being undertaken, and once
completed, the results will be made public. The job creation potential
includes among others construction, operation, maintenance of
renewable electricity generation, manufacturing of components, new
materials development, waste management and eco-tourism. It is clear
that there is significant job creation potential in this sector, not
just in terms of local energy supply, but also in the manufacturing
for export of various components.
South Africa has confirmed its commitment to increasing the percentage
of renewable energy in its grid, and the details are due to be
clarified in the long-term electricity plan for South Africa, namely
the IRP2. The establishment, operation and maintenance of the green
energy plants will create large numbers of jobs.
Job creation in bio-fuels also has significant job creation potential
as the agricultural component and transport components are labour
intensive. In addition to this, the Green Economy emphasises recycling
of waste materials. This is labour intensive work. Government has
established public works programmes, namely the Working for Water and
Working for Electricity, that have created job opportunities. EDD is
in the process of developing sector strategies to realise the job
creation potential of the Green Economy.
2) The green economy is at the centre of a number of industrial policy
interventions across the world, as countries seek to establish an
economic base in a fast-growing industry. China is reported to have
1,12 million green jobs with an expected growth of 100 000 additional
green jobs annually. In Brazil, a leader in bio-fuel production, the
sector employs more than 500 000 people. Germany employs about 280 000
people in renewable energy and France expects to employ about 500
000 people in the sector by 2020.