Energy minister promises decision on independent power producers by month-end
A decision on the power purchase agreements with independent power producers (IPPs) will be taken by the end of the month, Energy Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said on Tuesday. Independent producers of power from renewable energy have been waiting for more than a year for the decision. This is after Eskom refused to connect them to the grid on the grounds that the purchase price of the energy was too high at a time when the utility was burdened with surplus energy. Kubayi told Parliament’s energy portfolio committee that positive progress had been made in the deliberations between the departments of energy and public enterprises and Eskom on bid windows 3.5 and 4, to which government has committed but which await signature. "We have committed to an energy mix understanding that renewables have a key role to play and are part of the energy mix. From our side as the department we remain committed to proceeding," the minister said.
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