South Africa’s Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has announced projects including new highways and power plants.
Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala, has announced that the South African public sector has earmarked R903 billion (USD 49 billion) for infrastructure projects over the medium term. This includes investments in highways, power plants, and housing projects.
88 strategic infrastructure projects gazetted
State-owned companies, public entities and public-private partnerships are expected to spend the largest portion of this amount, estimated at R448 billion (USD 24 billion). The government has already gazetted 88 Strategic Infrastructure Projects (SIPs), including green hydrogen projects, large-scale road construction, and housing projects. The first South African summit on green hydrogen was held in November of last year.
Green hydrogen
Infrastructure South Africa has assembled a pipeline of green hydrogen projects valued at over R300 billion (USD 16 billion). Among these projects is the Boegoebaai Green Hydrogen initiative in Northern Cape, expected to generate 35,000 job opportunities after the completion of all feasibility studies. The Prieska Power Reserve (PPR) Project in Northern Cape is another green hydrogen and ammonia production project set to create over 10,500 jobs during both the construction and operational phases.
Bridges
Furthermore, the Department aims to build 96 bridges at R3.8 billion (USD 207 million) under the second phase of the Welisizwe Rural Bridges program. In Gauteng, the construction of bulk mixed housing infrastructure units (31,000) is set to take place from June 2023. The total value of projects completed by the Department is R21.4 billion (USD 1 billion), mainly consisting of roads and human settlement projects.
Existing infrastructure projects
The Department has provided updates on some notable projects, including the progress of N3 Highway upgrades, N2 Wildcoast Highway (Mtentu Bridge), Umkhomazi Water Project, Vaal River System, Lesotho Highlands Water Project, Raising of Hazelmere Dam, and Maintenance of Proclaimed Fishing Harbours in Western Cape.
The Minister noted that the total value of projects currently in construction is R313.5 billion (USD 17 billion), with projects in procurement standing at R295.2 billion (USD 16 billion).
The Salvokop Precinct Project is currently underway, including the installation of bulk infrastructure, earthworks, trenching, and reservoir works.
The South African public sector’s investment in infrastructure will create a positive impact on the economy, generate job opportunities and improve living standards, according to the Department.