PUBLIC PROCUREMENT NEWS

  

News

24 February 2012

Western Cape Province sees sustainable procurement as key to becoming green economic hub

The Western Cape Province (South Africa) has announced its plans to become the “green economic hub” of South Africa by encouraging renewable energy. The comments were made Premier of the province, Helen Zille. “Our government is finalising the draft Green Procurement White Paper, which will provide general principles and guidelines for integrating environmental criteria into supply chain management,” she said.

One of the objectives is to reduce energy and water use by 10 percent in provincial offices and other buildings, such as hospitals. The province is also preparing to build wind and solar energy farms. Zille also promised a game-changing infrastructure plan in 2012, stating that "The most powerful economic lever in the hands of a provincial government is the ability to build growth-creating infrastructure".

There are plans for three regeneration projects in Cape Town, namely the Founders' Garden/Artscape precinct, the development of a government precinct and the development of the Somerset Hospital precinct. The Cape Town convention centre would also be doubled in capacity and there are plans for a project to provide broadband internet access to every citizen, school and government facility in the province.

For more information, click here.[In Spanish]