After last week’s budget speech announcement that the National Treasury will be providing tax breaks to SA businesses and households moving over to renewable energy, I couldn’t help but go back to a column I wrote in September 2020 (“Like it or not, Mantashe will be unable to stop the shift to renewable energy (https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/opinion/columnists/2020-09-08-gray-maguire-like-it-or-not-mantashe-will-be-unable-to-stop-the-shift-to-renewable-energy/)”, September 8 2020).

In that piece I wrote only two responses were likely to Eskom’s downward spiral. “Option A, residents and businesses opt for cheaper, cleaner and more reliable own-generation solar power and kiss municipal supply goodbye altogether. Or Option B, municipalities pull out the stops and develop their own mechanisms for financing and installing rooftop solar and turn electricity consumers into electricity prosumers.” It appears I was wrong. It’s not an either-or, it’s both...

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.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.