Deputy Speaker, reports indicate that government has spent R14 billion on 54 green projects in the solar renewable energy and green technology sectors.
In a response to a parliamentary question, Minister Patel outlined that 22 of these projects fell within the funding structure of government's Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme, receiving R13 billion, of which R4,2 billion has been disbursed. Thirteen of these projects were located in the Northern Cape and received a total of Industrial Development Corporation funding of R11,2 billion, while five projects in the Eastern Cape received R1,65 billion. Three projects in the Western Cape received R436 million, and one in the North West received R101 million. Regrettably, however, former homelands are yet to benefit from government's renewable energy investment programme, especially those areas in the Eastern Cape.
Adding insult to injury is the fact that even in instances where private investors invest in renewable energy in the Eastern Cape, the slow rate at which the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform processes land tenure applications frustrates investors.
We call on the Departments of Economic Development and of Energy to take steps to ensure that former homelands are included in the roll-out of the renewable energy programme. This will ensure that these communities also benefit from the spin-offs that come with this programme. Thank you very much.