Infrastructure
R7.3bn water project approved
'Most important' water source
The Vaal River system is considered the most important water resource in South Africa as it supplies water to 60% of the country's economy and to 45% of its population. The whole of Gauteng and Northern Cape, mines and industries on the Mpumalanga Highveld, the bulk of Eskom's coal-fired power stations on the Western Mpumalanga Highveld, the coal-to-liquid facilities on the coal-fields of the Highveld, North-West and Free State goldfields, and agricultural users in the Gauteng, North-West, Free State and Northern Cape provinces all depend on the water system. "Gauteng and adjacent urban areas continue to experience rapid growth in water demand and it is projected that Gauteng could increase its water requirements by more than 30% in the next twenty years," said Hendricks. She added that significant intervention measures were necessary to ensure sufficient water, of the required quality, was made available to support community and industrial water needs, including associated energy generation, and agriculture.Power generation, international cooperation
Furthermore the existing hydro-power generation capacity of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase 1 can also be increased, with the project bringing substantial benefits to Lesotho as well as the region, as it will lead to decreased carbon emissions. "We have been in discussions with the government of Lesotho who are strongly in favour of the project," Hendricks said. Countries like Namibia and Botswana form part of the Vaal River system, and have already had been notified of the joint intention of South Africa and Lesotho regarding the project, and will be kept abreast of further developments. "The next steps would require the development of a detailed project implementation plan, to be approved by both countries, and the necessary Protocols between the countries concluded," she said. "Like with Phase 1 the project would be funded off-budget, that is funds would be borrowed from capital markets." SAinfo reporter
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