The South African government would soon remove red tape to allow new players in the energy sector to feed up to 100 megawatts into the national grid and ease current rolling blackouts, President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced.
Addressing the nation late Monday, Ramaphosa said there was no need to introduce “an electricity state of emergency” to resolve the country’s energy woes as demanded by some political parties and civil society organisations.
He said following consultations with the political parties, business, civil society and energy experts his government would introduce “urgent measures that will reduce the levels of load shedding and bring relief to businesses and citizens.”
He encouraged homeowners and businesses to set up solar power on top of the premises as part of the measures to ease the energy crisis.
Ramaphosa, therefore, announced that the government was scrapping the licencing requirements for up to 100 MW self-generation as government moved to reduce the pressure on Eskom to generate electricity.
Ramaphosa also announced the formation of a National Energy Crisis Committee to oversee the power crisis.
Reacting to the development, African National Congress spokesperson Pule Mabe welcomed “what one would refer to as party interventions that our government is going to be putting in place to deal with the energy crisis.”
The main opposition Democratic Alliance’s shadow Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Kevin Mileham said the party welcomed the announcement.
Economic Freedom Front spokesperson Sinawo Thambo, however, said the party does “not think that there would be any reprieve from the rolling blackouts.”
“There is no interest in exploring genuine alternatives to energy in South Africa.”
NM/jn/APA