Western Cape positions clean energy powered exports for global competitiveness – Green Building Africa

• Premier Alan Winde says the Western Cape could source about 50% of its energy usage from renewables within the next year, strengthening the province’s position in carbon conscious export markets.
• Export products from the Western Cape will increasingly be produced with clean energy, helping local businesses meet European Union and global demand for decarbonised goods. 
• The province aims to generate R408 billion in Cape Town exports, create more than 200,000 jobs and add 1,000 active exporters by 2035 under the Western Cape Export Strategy 2035.

Economic diplomacy, trade growth and tourism were the focus of the second Biannual Export Industry Dialogue held in Cape Town, where Western Cape Premier Alan Winde outlined the province’s export strategy and its drive to create 200,000 more jobs.

Premier Winde said every shipment leaving the province supports livelihoods across the economy. He said government is committed to economic diplomacy to protect jobs and build the conditions needed for further employment growth.

“While we do not always have a mandate to delete obstacles to growth, we as a government will do everything in our power to clear blockages, and to minimise the impact of global disruptions,” he said.

The dialogue brought together public and private sector stakeholders to discuss how the province can grow exports and improve coordination across the export ecosystem. A central priority is diversifying markets across Africa, Europe, the United Kingdom, Asia and the Middle East.

A survey conducted before the engagement found that 89% of export bodies identified high market entry costs and tariffs as concerns, while more than 70% raised concerns about port efficiency.

The Western Cape Export Strategy 2035 sets a long term roadmap for the province. It targets R408 billion in exports for Cape Town, more than 200,000 jobs created through increased exports, and an increase of 1,000 active exporters by 2035.

United States tariffs on South African goods remained a major issue at the dialogue. In 2025, the Western Cape accounted for more than 50% of South Africa’s agriculture and agri processing exports to the United States. The province also holds a significant national share of exports including seafood, yachts and vessels, jewellery, beauty products and vehicle engine components.

However, South African exports to the United States fell by 16.2% between August 2025 and July 2026. European countries have largely filled the gap left by reduced access to the United States market, although exporters must respond to growing European Union requirements for decarbonised goods.

Premier Winde said the Western Cape is well positioned to meet this demand because of its renewable energy capacity. He said the province could see some 50% of its energy usage come from renewables within the next year.

This shift means that a growing share of Western Cape export products will be produced using clean energy. The Premier said this will help exporters manufacture goods that comply with rising global demand for carbon neutral production, while improving their competitiveness in markets that increasingly reward low carbon supply chains.

Projects including the newly inaugurated Riversdale Solar Plant and the Helderhoop Solar and Storage Plant are expected to deliver cheaper, more reliable and environmentally friendly energy. The Premier said these projects will support residents and businesses, while enabling exporters to produce goods with a lower carbon footprint.

Premier Winde said the province is performing well in its priority of creating jobs through economic growth, but more work is needed. He said the Western Cape’s unemployment rate of less than 20% is a relative achievement, but government and business must continue working together to identify and resolve barriers to growth quickly.

Author: Bryan Groenendaal