Madam Speaker, in order to tackle the energy problems that South Africa is currently facing, we need to determine biomass generation capacity as one of our main priorities. We should also use free energy in the form of solar and wind energy in the best ways possible. The following multilayered approach suggest that: Firstly, a short-term national solution is to use energy feedstock or biomass for co-firing in coal-based electricity plants. One suitable feedstock for this could be giant bamboo, which has a high heating value, and has been developed in South Africa. For the intermediate and longer term, we should decentralise energy production and look at setting up agri-villages.
Secondly, our cities should use the techniques that are available in Europe to turn waste carbon dioxide neutral, into electric energy. These systems would help us to dispose of waste and to address the electricity crisis. These plants could be set up in every city within the next two to five years, and could contribute to locally-produced electricity.
Thirdly, brand new developments in the field of wind energy production from Europe could be implemented in South Africa to help the local industry with current electricity problems, solve energy problems in our townships, and much more. With all the aforementioned developments identified and acted upon, the current energy crisis could be solved within four to five years in a green way. The knowledge to execute this is available, among local entrepreneurs, the University of Stellenbosch and through local initiatives in combination with European companies. I thank you. [Applause.]