Gordhan budget statement leaves key issues on future energy mix up in the air
Questions about SA’s future energy mix and its financing go unanswered in the Treasury’s medium-term budget policy statement presentation
Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan‚ his deputy Mcebisi Jonas and National Treasurer director-general Lestja Kganyago kicked for touch on energy on Wednesday‚ refusing to give detailed answers to questions on the future energy mix and its financing. No reference is made for or against the nuclear option in the Treasury’s medium-term budget policy statement documents. Gordhan‚ Jonas and Kganyago as the triumvirate at the head of the country’s fiscal governance dodged media questions on this. The three also refused to discuss how Eskom‚ which already carries major contingent liability risks‚ can finance nuclear new build now that it has accepted the poisoned nuclear chalice from the Department of Energy. On future energy supply‚ all Gordhan would say was that energy supply must stay ahead of the economic growth curve rather than follow it. He regarded the country’s energy-generation ability as more important than discussions on the composure of the energy mix, showing preference for coal‚...
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