KwaZulu Natal premier, Willies Mchunu, officially turned the sod at a ceremony marking the start of construction of a CS Smelter Park in Ladysmith yesterday (Tuesday).
Mchunu said that the R85-billion investment to build a smelter park would “usher in a new era characterised by employment and prosperity in the province”. The CS Smelter Park – set for operation by 2021/2022 – will have a privately owned coal-fired power station which will be developed in three phases of 300MW each.
“This sod-turning ceremony marks an important milestone in our struggle against underdevelopment. More than 8 000 direct jobs will be created for the local community during the construction and more than 12 000 indirect jobs will be created over a five-year period,” said Mchunu.
He pointed out that the electricity supply sector played a pivotal role in the provincial energy economy. “The importance of the energy supply sector lies both in improving the quality of life for the previously disadvantaged majority as well as supporting large-scale industrial development,” Mchunu commented.
