LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL DIMMING SWIFTLY AS ESKOM REBUFFS IPPS

I WAS shocked, concerned and dismayed when I read that Eskom will not sign power purchase agreements with independent power producers (IPPs).

So much for the “global success story” industry, that attracted R193bn in private investment in five years and created much-needed jobs. Especially when just a year ago Energy Minister Tina JoematPettersson committed to accelerating and expanding participation of IPPs.

The government made a commitment to avoid a downgrade at all costs and now this. Where do these guys live and make such decisions!? On another planet?

When we are standing at the edge of a recession and just last Thursday the Reserve Bank announced that the pro- jected growth for the year will be 0.0 percent, no growth or should I say a thinly disguised recession!

But I got more worried when both cabinet ministers concerned, JoematPettersson and Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown, refused to make any comment on Eskom’s pronouncement.

This is the most worrying aspect, when we need investment and jobs, and our growth has been anything but dismal and we have agencies ready to pounce on us, although they were kind enough so far to give us more time. So when we go over the cliff there will be no one to save us.

Eskom chief Brian Molefe’s decision that he considers renewable energy more expensive, which is nonsense, as both wind and solar on new research calculations come 20 to 40 percent cheaper than nuclear (not even mentioning the Capex for nuclear). Is it aimed at pushing nuclear power down our throats?

JM Bouvier Bryanston