Dear Editor
The signing of the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act into law by the President has profound implications for South Africa’s electricity sector. While there is much to be welcomed, such as the creation of the National Transmission Company as part of the unbundling of Eskom, the DA is concerned that this Act does not go far enough.
A truly independent system market operator would go a long way toward opening South Africa’s electricity market and creating a more competitive electricity sector. This is vital if we are to make electricity more widely available, more reliable, and more affordable.
A further concern is the role of NERSA, the National Energy Regulator, in determining prices and tariffs. We remain of the opinion that this is the antithesis of the purpose of the Act – to promote competitiveness in the electricity sector.
South Africa’s energy security is dependent on an electricity market that is open and accessible to the private sector. The DA will continue to push for greater independence of the National Transmission Company, and increased diversification of our energy mix.
Regards
Kevin Mileham MP
DA Spokesperson on Electricity and Energy
Frosty Snazz
Fun South African Fact: Table Mountain, one of the iconic landmarks of South Africa, is one of the oldest mountains in the world
Reno Monarch
Van der Merwe is approached by SANRAL one day who want to build a new highway through his donkey farm. Van is really concerned with how his donkeys can get from one side of the farm to the other without having to cross the highway and risk being injured or killed. He is promised that they will build bridges the highway so that his donkeys can cross under the highway. Van agrees and gives them the go-ahead.
The highway is built and a year later the same rep goes to the farm to go see how Van and his donkeys are. He eventually finds Van under one of these bridges chipping away at the roof of the tunnel with a hammer and chisel.
\”Mnr Van de Merwe, what are you doing damaging the highway bridge?\”