Five major projects are being planned in Saldanha Bay over the next 20 years, creating a major industrial hub and thousands of new jobs.

The projects will seek to expand the port economy by increasing its bulk capacity, building a renewable energy plant, exploiting its oil and gas potential and undertaking a huge housing project.

The investment , mostly foreign, that will be sought will total R83-billion and potentially create 40 000 jobs.

Saldanha Bay has the largest and deepest natural harbour in the southern hemisphere and therefore provides the perfect location to create the industrial centre.

At present feasibility studies are being conducted and this will be followed by environmental impact assessments.

Reported by Weekend Argus – 24 July 2010