F R O N T I E R SN A T I
F R O N T I E R SN A T I O N A L D E V E L O P M E N T P L A N1234
SECTORAL CLUSTERSDe Aar Renewable EnergySouth Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent PowerProducer Procurement Programme (REIPPPPP) has seenmore than R200-billion committed to renewable energyprojects. It aims to add some 13 225MW by 2025. Fully60% of the projects so far allocated have been in thenation’s sunniest province.The biggest solar farm so far in South Africa is Solar Capital’s175MW project at De Aar. Formerly famous as the railwayjunction, De Aar is becoming better known as a renewableenergy hub.Square Kilometre ArrayThe SKA will be the world’s largest radio telescope, made upof thousands of antennae throughout Australia and Africa,centred on the area around Carnarvon in the NorthernCape. South Africa’s own 64-dish MeerKAT telescope,which will form part of the SKA, started coming on linein 2016. The town of Sutherland already hosts an array oftelescopes with a long history of providing scientists withexcellent data in clear skies above the flat and dry Karoo.Gamagara CorridorMining contributes 23.4% to the Northern Cape economyand makes up nearly 7% of South Africa’s total mining value.The mineral resource of the province is wide-ranging andimpressive with significant deposits of iron ore, manganese,zinc, copper, lead, titanium, pig iron, zircon and gypsum.The overwhelming majority of the world’s manganesecomes from the Postmasburg and Kalahari regions. Theprovince is responsible for 25% of the world’s exports ofthe mineral. The Northern Cape produces more than 84%of South Africa’s iron ore and has two major iron belts,from Postmasburg to Hotazel, and running through Sishenand Kathu. Sishen is the most important iron-ore mine inSouth Africa, where operations include extraction and fourbeneficiation plants. The availability of natural resources,labour and infrastructure (including the Sishen-Saldanharailway line) make Sishen the ideal location.Boegoebaai Bulk CorridorBig plans are underway to develop a deepwater portcapable of receiving large vessels at Boegoebaai.Preliminary research indicates that the project couldgenerate income of R2.1-billion annually by handlingbulk cargoes and minerals such as manganese andiron ore. There would be possibilities for linking theport to the gas fields and developing ship-repairfacilities. The intention is to find a private investor ora consortium to take the project forward.If the harbour project gets the green light, thenaccompanying infrastructure will follow. The bestroute to connect to Upington will be the subject offurther studies, as will the feasibility of a new rail link.The construction requirements of a project this sizewould themselves be a boost to the economy of theNorthern Cape.CoastlineThe Northern Cape boasts a coastline of 313km butthe economic value of this asset has barely beentouched, despite a growth in the abalone industryand some fishing and lobster operations.Plans to boost the maritime economy in the provinceform part of two broader national programmes.Operation Phakisa is an initiative of the South Africangovernment to fast-track parts of the NationalDevelopment Plan. The focus is on delivery andresults, with strict timelines. “Phakisa” means “hurryup” in Sotho. One of the focus areas within Phakisais the Oceans Economy programme. Three NorthernCape harbours feature in the list of harbours that willbe further developed: Port Nolloth, Boegoe Baaiand Hondeklip Bay. The last-named port has alreadyreceived investment in the aquaculture sector.
