Government’s solutions to the energy crisis appears to be intently reliant on Independent Power Producers.

It’s planning to launch a procurement process for 3 000MW of gas-fired energy generation.

This includes the deployment of power ships or a floating Liquified Natural Gas terminal.

The new gas generation facilities will be located in Richards Bay and Mossel Bay.

The National Energy Crisis Committee met this week, recommending the procurement of 9 500MW of new capacity by next year.

It includes new pumped storage plants and additional publicly procured renewable energy, batteries and gas generation.

The crisis committee noted that most interventions possible would only be felt in 18 months to two years’ time.  

Meanwhile…

The ANC-led government has been criticised for failing to bring on board skills, integrity, expertise, and credibility to lift the country out of its energy crisis.

Leader of the National Freedom Party in Parliament, Ahmed Manzoor Shaikh Emam.

He says that key issues and strategies relating to Eskom are discussed at a party-level at the ANC, excluding the rest of Parliament.

Shaikh Emam contends that there is no plan from Eskom decision-makers on how to fix the energy crisis, and this is why CEO, Andre de Ruyter is resigning.

He has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to fight the energy crisis as a head of state, and not as a leader of the African National Congress.