- Cabinet has been briefed about the current state of the electricity system as well as progress on the Energy Action Plan.
- They were also given a presentation by the newly appointed Electricity Minister, Dr Kgosientsho ‘Sputla’ Ramakgopa, who recently announced that the life of some of Eskom’s ageing coal fired powered station should be extended.
- He has also said bold steps need to be taken to privatise some of Eskom’s coal power stations.
“The meeting discussed short and medium-term measures to ensure energy security, taking into account our immediate energy needs,” said Government acting spokesperson, Michael Currin, on Wednesday.
Cabinet noted the presentation by Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramakgopa and directed that a further assessment of the electricity situation and measures to be taken and be addressed at the next National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM) meeting that will be convened as speedily as possible.
According to Government, progress has been made in several areas since the adoption of the Energy Action Plan. These include the relaxation of some requirements, which will enable quicker procurement, and the removal of licensing requirements for generation projects to enable private investment.
The reality is that the people and business’s in South Africa face up to 10 hours of loadshedding daily. The underlying cause of the energy crisis is poor planning, poor management, corruption, looting and sabotage of the country’s state owned and run energy utility, Eskom. Tax payers money is nearing R495 billion in Eskom bailouts since 2008. Read more
A further reality is that Treasury has appointed a group of German consultants to assess Eskom’s operational ability after committing to a R254 billion bailout for the utility. Read more.
Eskom falls under the authority of the minister of State Owned Enterprises, Mr Pravin Gordhan. This leaves the appointment and role of Ramakgopa in question as he does not appear to have any authority or mandate regarding South Africa’s energy crisis.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
