Staff writer 
To resolve the energy crisis and accelerate the security of reliable power supply for residents and businesses, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has announced that the provincial government will release R1.2 billion.
As part of the plan, Lesufi said in a few weeks, the provincial government will appoint six developers to begin constructing an 800 megawatts solar farm in Merafong.
This will be followed by the installation of roof-top solar panels in government buildings such as hospitals, clinics and schools, announced Lesufi during the State of the Province Address. 
"We will engage with Johannesburg Municipality's City Power as well as Tshwane's Rooiwal facility with the intention of supporting them to expand and generate more power
"We will meet with the owners of Kelvin Power Station to establish how we can partner with them to limit loadshedding in Gauteng," Lesufi announced during the opening of the Legislature on Monday.
From the 1st of April, Gauteng government will also invest in roof-top solar panels in health facilities, schools and libraries to ensure they have energy and can provide much-needed services to our communities.
Working with municipalities, government will also roll out smart metering. 
"We will ensure that, through this process, our young people will be trained, skilled and equipped in the energy space," said Lesufi, who also welcomed the declaration of the National State of Disaster by President Cyril Ramaphosa during his State of the Nation Address. 
Moreover, from next week, the province will advertise a call for proposals for alternative suppliers of energy that can contribute to the solution of the energy crisis and the reindustrialisation of Gauteng.
Taking lessons from the corruption scandals and inflation of prices involving personal protective equipment procurement, Lesufi said government will work with the Gauteng Ethics Advisory Committee and the Auditor General. He added that it would ensure transparent, fair, and equitable processes.
Loadshedding is the single biggest constraint on South Africa's economic growth. This has devastated critical economic sectors such as manufacturing, hospitality, tourism, mining and agriculture.
Gauteng provinces' electricity deficit is focused at 4058 megavolt-ampermps (MVA) in 2025 this is slightly to be highly given Eskom's inability to generate more from its current fleet.
To deal with the energy crisis, the provincial government established an energy crisis response team that engages with the National Energy Committee, local government, and energy experts.
Last week, the province convened the inaugural energy solutions Gauteng Energy EXPO to solicit views on what exists in the market with the idea of creating partnerships to assist in finding lasting solutions.
Lesufi said he was pleased with the overwhelming response from industry experts, commercial banks, Development Financial Institutions (DFIs), and other funding institutions who are eager to partner with government to respond to the energy crisis.
Pic credit: ewn.co.za