The City of Johannesburg will be investing more money in the green economy to cope with increasing energy demand, create jobs and reduce its carbon emissions footprint.
Speaking at the state of the city address, executive mayor Park Tau said the increase in the demand of energy, food and water would put pressure on all cities to be innovative and find alternative sources.
Tau said the City mandated City Power, and the Environment Infrastructure and Services Department to present proposals on a future energy mix which includes increased use of gas, rooftop photovoltaic systems and other greener energy sources.
Thus far, 43 000 solar heaters have installed by City Power, whilst 42000 smart meters geyser controls and other energy efficiency programmes have been put in place to curb excessive power usage.
Next month, another biogas-to-energy plant will be opened at Driefontein Works. This is in addition the Northern Works water waste site which was commissioned in November last year.
About 470 000 household have been targeted for separation at source waste management. The programmes is currently being rolled out in Waterval, Zondi, Diepsloot, Orange Farm, Malboro, and Southdale. The City’s garden sites are in the process of being upgraded to accept recyclables.
In the next financial year, Metrobus will be converting 30 more buses as well purchasing 150 new buses which will be using duel fuel. Tau said it would cost R3 million a bus, and it was expected that they’d spend close to R500 million to overhaul all the Metrobuses.
Tau said the city had successfully redeemed R1.9-billion since its introduction of municipal bond in the market and there were plans to introduce green bonds which would enable the council to intensify its funding of green projects.
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