On Monday 20 September 2021, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Patricia de Lille will announce the details of the Request for Information (RFI) process for the Photovoltaic (PV) and Water Savings on Government Buildings Programme.

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) supported by National Treasury’s Government Technical Advisory Centre (GTAC) will publish the Request For Information (RFI) for the commencement of the Integrated Renewable Energy and Resource Efficiency Programme (iREREP) on Monday 20 September 2021.

The DPWI as the largest landlord and facilities manager in the country, has a responsibility to not only deliver and manage quality infrastructure but to combat climate change and sustainable development through its mandate - such as providing buildings for government service delivery.

The PV and Water Savings on Government Buildings Programme was gazetted as a Strategic Integrated Project (SIP) in July 2020 as part of a credible pipeline of projects in the Infrastructure Investment Plan which was approved by Cabinet in May 2020.

The DPWI property portfolio as the largest property portfolio in the country is responsible for the consumption of a significant amount of electricity and water and generation of a significant amount of waste.

Recent studies places annual electricity and water consumption at an estimated 4021 Gigawatt hours 39 million kilolitres respectively, with over 822 kilotons of waste generated. This equates to an average annual expenditure on electricity and water of R2.4 billion and R1.8 billion respectively.

What does the iREREP project aim to achieve?

Over the 30 years, the projected savings from the programme include:

•              Savings and revenue worth over R401bn by 2050, which can be reallocated to other government priorities;

•              An estimated 146 000 jobs created;

•              A reduction in energy use intensity of between 22% and 45%;

•              A water use intensity reduction of between 30% and 55%;

•              A reduction in waste and diversion of 50% of current waste from landfill sites, saving 12m tons;

•              A reduction in CO2 and other GHG emission by over 54.5 megatons

Through the RFI process, the Department will be able to gain additional market insights that will drive the implementation of the Programme, as well as provide an understanding of the appetite and readiness of the market to participate in this Programme.

Minister de Lille will provide further details on the RFI process and encourage participation from the market for this innovative and much needed programme aimed at achieving significant savings for government.

The press conference details are as follows:

Date: Monday 20 September

Time: 12h00 - 13h00

Venue: Imbizo Media Centre, Ground Floor, 120 Plein Street (Parliamentary Precinct)

Virtual: Journalists can also view the press conference via the following link:

https://gcis.zoom.us/j/98403246760?pwd=WjRxaStDWnNiVlpkTU95MXdwbkVGQT09

Webinar Passcode: 324326

All media are welcome to attend and are kindly requested to confirm attendance to Zara Nicholson on 079 416 5996.

Enquiries:

Zara Nicholson

Media Liaison Officer to Minister Patricia de Lille

Mobile: 079 416 5996, Email: zara.nicholson@dpw.gov.za