MINISTER of Energy Tina Joemat-Pettersson’s recent announcement that the nuclear procurement process will start at the end of September is yet another indication that the national government is not serious about our country’s future economic and energy security.Her announcement follows Eskom chairman Brian Molefe’s letter to her department in which he expressed the power utility’s reluctance to sign any further power-purchasing agreements with renewable energy independent power producers, despite this highly successful programme attracting R194bn in investment and procuring more than 6000MWBoth these decisions threaten the growth of the renewable energy sector, which is critical to tackling rising energy demand and moving towards a carbon-free economy. We are already seeing the consequences.Last year I attended the opening of the SMA Solar Technology factory in Cape Town, which manufactures energy inverters for rooftop photo-voltaic power. Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Mzwan...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.