WCG DoTP APP 2023/2024

In 2023/24 the Department will focus on the introduction of a Futures Planning Capability initiative, which will implement a strategic foresight capability enhancement plan for WCG and conduct futures planning exercises.

In response to the Energy Crisis the Department will focus on the following:

• Demand Side Management Programme – this programme will focus on communication campaigns, drive the energy savings campaign, incentivize the use of alternate energy systems for SMMEs and the use of energy efficient products and services by the public, and pilot a load management system to assist in managing the peak.

• Emergency Loadshedding packs will be provided to indigent households.

• Municipal Pool Buying – the objective is to do an options analysis and develop a business case to establish a multi-jurisdictional municipal pooled buying mechanism for the procurement of renewable energy. • The development of a Western Cape Integrated Resource Plan aimed at estimating the Western Cape energy demand. • A Core Energy Team Internal Resourcing to co-ordinate and programme all the initiatives for the WCG including sourcing specialist skills. We will continue to support the economic cluster in developing and implementing the Growth for Jobs (G4J) strategy as the cluster transitions from the strategic position contained in VIP2 of PSP 2019-24 and the Jobs Priority. Economic research will include research into skills and the green economy. The Department will implement a provincial-wide response to the energy crisis in the Province consisting of the provision of once-off energy emergency packs to indigent households, interventions aimed at demand reduction across the Province, on-boarding of specialists to advise on further interventions, and the development of an Integrated Resource Plan for the Province to increase its resilience in the face of natural resource challenges. Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) is widely recognised and practised internationally as an effective, evidence-based tool in the development of regulatory and policy proposals to test their practicality and feasibility and to promote better regulation and governance. The Department of the Premier will continue to chair the RIA committee and provide support to departments on their submissions to ensure the values of openness, public involvement and accountability and that regulations follow a systematic, common-sense approach, based on evidence. The APP process is critical in aligning department planning and budgeting with the Sustainable Development Goals, and national, provincial and local priorities. The Department of the Premier will extend the current assessment process by integrating the assessment processes conducted by Provincial Treasury and the Human Rights Mainstreaming component of the Department of the Premier. This will ensure alignment and enable the province to formulate well-rounded, integrated assessments. Strategic support to Innovation for Impact initiatives will continue, building on the momentum of 2022/23. The Innovation for Impact focus area will embed and enable innovation across the WCG by remaining a key advisor and partner in the creation of the WCG Innovation Hub, enhancing the digital innovation portal, and using the findings of an innovative mapping exercise to build on existing initiatives. Innovative methodologies will inform innovation-inspired webinars and policy briefs, which will be offered to strengthen the capacity to innovate among public sector officials. Key to the Innovation for Impact agenda going forward will be expanding and mobilising the WCG Innovation Network set up in 2022/23, expanding the roles of departmental innovation champions,

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DOTP ANNUAL PERFORMANCE PLAN FOR 2023/2024