HILARY JOFFE: Why an energy emergency and a ‘second Eskom’ should be short-circuited
A dangerous precedent would be set if government suspends established legal processes just because it can’t circumvent its own red tape
It’s a bad habit, and a cliché. But it seems to take a crisis to prompt government to act in SA, which is why stage 6 load-shedding has seen the president and his ministers seized with the power crisis and swooping in to inspect ailing power stations. If they are truly seized and ready to do what it takes, it can’t be too soon.
But crises also have a habit of generating new ideas. Two particularly inventive ones have emerged over the past week and need interrogating. First, the National Planning Commission (NPC) has proposed the declaration of an “energy emergency” to enable government to override some of the red tape preventing the delivery of new generation capacity...
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.