Free State Business 2017 edition

FOCUS SOLAR GENERATION

FOCUS SOLAR GENERATION PARKS The project aim is to recruit a private investor to set up a solar park in the Xhariep, Lejweleputswa and Mangaung regions, as these offer some of the best direct solar radiation (kWh/m²). Process Investors’ may participate in both off-grid and on-grid supply solutions. Off-grid is where the solar generation plant is directly supplying an independent user or seller, for example a mine or an industrial estate. On-grid is where investors participate in South Africa’s successful Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement (REIPPP) Programme managed by the Department of Energy (DOE) and finally supply the grid. Projects Location Xhariep District, Mangaung Metro as well as Lejwele putswa. Conversion Technologies Both photovoltaic modules and concentrated solar power (CSP) plants conversion technologies can be implemented. SOLAR WATER HEATERS A private investor is required to set up a solar water heaters manufacturing plant in Botshabelo Industrial Area. The manufacturing process may involve the following: • Fabrication of panel storage tanks. • Assembly of tank, panel coil and other components. • Inspection and commissioning. • Required raw materials for the manufacturing of solar water heaters are copper aluminium MS sheet, pipe, glass fibre, GI sheets, thermostat, insulation material. Why Solar Water Heaters • Eskom electricity demand management programme. • Strong local content on SWH procurement by DOE and Eskom. • Financial and technology capabilities to manufacture and supply locally produced systems. • Construction Sector Education Training Authority (CETA) and Energy Sector Education Training Authority offers accredited Level 4 plumbing qualification. • Availability of plumbing skills currently serv ing the mining, gas and petroleum industries. Location Botshabelo within the N8 Corridor. Investment Required To be determined at feasibility. To discuss these opportunities, contact Frank Tlhomelang, Manager: Research & Development & Acting GM: Trade & Investment Tel: +27 51 4000 800 | Cell: +27 71 674 5730 Email: frank@fdc.co.za | Email: info@fdc.co.za FREE STATE BUSINESS 2017 16

FOCUS GREEN ENERGY IT Green Energy is a South African company that assembles solar home lighting systems. The idea behind this project is to contribute towards harnessing solar energy to generate power. Location The company intend to locate its solar home lighting manufacturing plant in Maluti-A-Phofung. Milestones FDC financed seed funding to the tune of R210 000 for the following: • Product development to redesign its products so that they can meet international standards for export market. • IP registration. • Business case development to solicit financial and possibly technology partner for future growth. • A team of three are driving business development. Investment Required The project requires an experienced technology partner that is a player within the solar and LED lights value chain and an investor that will guarantee take-off of products manufactured. To discuss this opportunity, contact Frank Tlhomelang, Manager: Research & Development & Acting GM: Trade & Investment Tel: +27 51 4000 800 Email: frank@fdc.co.za Maluti-A-Phofung SEZ investment opportunities Maluti-A-Phofung Special Economi c Zone (SEZ) has been established in terms of the Special Economic Zones Act, Act No. 16 of 2014. The programme is intended to deepen industrial development and improve manufacturing competitiveness in the Maluti-A- Phofung Municipality. Located in Harrismith and Tshiame in the Eastern Free State, MAP IDZ is strategically located on the N3 national road, halfway between Johannesburg and Durban. M-SEZ offers in total up to 1 000 hectares of land for industrial development. Since Durban port is the busiest in the southern hemisphere, this therefore means that N3 carries majority of the traffic to different locations in South Africa and the neighbouring countries such as Lesotho and Swaziland. The MAP ESZ constitutes the Free State leg of the massive Durban-Free State-Gauteng logistics and industrial corridor that is intended to strengthen the logistics and transport corridor between South Africa’s main industrial hubs to: • Improve access to Durban’s export/import facilities. • Integrate Free State Industrial Strategy activities into the corridor. • Build a new port in Durban. • Expand an aerotropolis around OR Tambo International Airport. SEZ Project Pipeline There are already 18 manufacturing companies (ranging from pharmaceutical to automobile companies) that have signed letters of intent to locate in the MAP SEZ. Some of the sectors targeted for establishment within the MAP SEZ are as follows: • Pharmaceuticals. • Medical devices. • Logistics and distribution. • Agro-processing. 17 FREE STATE BUSINESS 2017