One reason development has stalled is because SA is forever redoing plans instead of acting on them. A typical example is the independent power producer coal-fired stations proposed in the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2010. Proposals were received from Thabametsi and Khanyisa. The developers have slaved away for seven years, ensuring they have the mining licences, water rights, surface disposal rights, rights of way, environmental compliance, right technology, financial backing and connections to the grid. Achieving this project development doesn’t come free, and the expenditure is at risk. Leaping from their ivory tower, two idealists of the University of Cape Town’s Energy Research Centre say in a report headlined Why two IPP coal power plants get red card (May 30) "they should rather wait for the new IRP to be published". The researchers claim the plants will be expensive compared with wind and solar power. It is time such claims were recognised as false. Yes, the cost of produ...
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.