Northern Cape Business 2025-26

The 2025/26 edition of Northern Cape Business is the 15th issue of this highly successful publication that has, since its launch in 2009, established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Northern Cape Province. Officially supported and used by the Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDaT) at conferences and other events, Northern Cape Business is unique as a business and investment guide that focuses exclusively on the province. Specific investment projects are outlined in detail by DEDaT in this journal, covering opportunities in energy and mining, together with reports on dedicated investment zones. Renewable energy investments continue to be made into the province, both in terms of wind power and solar farms, and plans to promote the green hydrogen economy are in place. The Northern Cape is almost uniquely qualified to play a lead role in this enterprise, given its bountiful resources of land, wind and sun. The idea to develop a deepwater port at Boegoebaai has been linked to the notion of a Special Economic Zone devoted to green hydrogen production. The scale and importance of the giant radio astronomy project is given good coverage in this edition, with its economic impact, value as an educational and scientific catalyst and its potential role in boosting tourism all receiving attention. To complement the extensive local, national and international distribution of the print edition, the full content can also be viewed online at https://www.globalafricanetwork.com under e-books. Updated information on the Northern Cape is also available through our monthly e-newsletter, which you can subscribe to online at https://www.southafricanbusiness.co.za, in addition to our complementary business-to-business titles that cover all nine provinces as well our flagship South African Business title.

FEATURE: ENERGY ONE STOP

FEATURE: ENERGY ONE STOP SHOPENERGYONESTOPsAccelerating Renewable Energy Development: Milestones Achieved by the EnergyOne Stop Shop in 2024In 2024, the Energy One Stop Shop (EOSS) demonstrated its commitment to overcoming critical hurdles in South Africa's renewableener !:;I Y sector. Through collaborative efforts, the EOSS successfully addressed 102 challenges faced by Independent Power Producers(IPPsJ across various Competent Authorities, including the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Departmentof Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), and others.Unlocking Energy Potential: Project MilestonesThese efforts culminated in 15 renewable energy projects advancing to the Development Pipeline, either at the Financial Close,Construction or Operational phase. Combined, these projects represent an additional 1001 megawatts ( MW) of energy capacityexpected to come online by 2026. Beyond this, the EOSS is actively monitoring 81 additional projects with a total potential of19,376 MW, showcasing the immense growth potential of South Africa's renewable energy sector.Pioneering the Single Window Application PortalA key initiative in 2024 was the significant progress made in developing the Single Window Application Portal (SWAP).This innovative mechanism is designed to streamline application processes, harmonise interdepartmental systems,and provide IPPs with a centralised platform to lodge applications, review statuses, and track progress efficiently.Through extensive consultations with government departments and entities, the EOSS, in partnership with the InternationalFinance Corporation (IFC), finalised the Functional Requirements Specification (FRS) for the SWAP. Furthermore, acomprehensive funding proposal was developed, and the necessary funding is now being sought for the portal's development.Strengthening Municipal IntegrationRecognising the vital role of municipalities in renewable energy development, the EOSS also initiated efforts to integratemunicipal processes into the SWAP. With support from the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) through the UK-Pact program, the second phase of mapping and streamlining these processes has begun. This initiative, undertaken incollaboration with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and the Department of Cooperative Governanceand Traditional Affairs (COGTA), aims to remove bottlenecks at the municipal level. The integration of these processes into theSWAP is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.A Pathway to Sustainable GrowthThe achievements of the EOSS in 2024 underscore its pivotal role in advancing South Africa's renewable energy agenda.By addressing systemic challenges and fostering innovation through tools like the SWAP, the EOSS is not only expeditingproject development but also laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and energy-secure future.

Energy Project in EOSS Development Pipeline1001645Financial CloseProjects secured, fundingand contractsConstructionProjects currently beingbuiltOperationalProjects currentlygenerating energyMegawattsTotal energy capacity ofall projects81 TrackedTotal of 15 Projectsthe dt'cOrtm nl:Trade, :nduisbry and Compe.titionREPUBUC OF SOUTil-if .AFRICA® !!!tStreamlining Energy Applications