I RECENTLY set a group of MBA students the task of representing a key sector of energy: solar, wind, nuclear, coal, and gas. Each team had to research why their energy sector was the best option for SA, taking into consideration the cost.What is interesting is that every single team was able to make a compelling argument as to why their energy provision was the most cost effective and sustainable "best choice" over the short, medium, and long term.It proved an important point about SA’s energy sector, where "best choice" has become a battle of who wields the most power and biggest budget, rather than what is best for the country and consumer.It is, therefore, alarming to read of SMA Solar Technology’s imminent closure of a plant in Cape Town, which it opened in 2014. The reasons cited are the inconsistencies between policy announcements on renewable energy and the perceived commitment of the government to nuclear build.In the government and Eskom’s view, nuclear is the cheapest form...
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