Announcement of generating electricity privately welcomed
10 June 2021
Solidarity welcomes President Ramaphosa’s announcement that private individuals and institutions may in future generate up to 100 MW for their own use without a license. We are also pleased that the licensing process for such generation is cancelled.
“The decentralisation and privatisation of generating electricity is a huge step in the right direction that may solve South Africa’s energy problems. Small-scale power generation is a sector that has incredible potential for creating jobs; not only in the sector itself, but also in the broader economy,” said Connie Mulder, Head of the Solidarity Research Institute (SRI).
“It is critically important that the registration process for own generation should be as easy as possible. After 14 years, enough lingering with solutions have taken place. Now we must act as fast as possible to bring the energy crisis to a decisive end.”
According to Mulder, Ramaphosa’s announcement is the first step in saving the economy and the prospect of a stable power network is a pleasing thought. He also believes that if industries could generate electricity for their own use, without selling it to other South Africans, the relief this offers to the network would already be enough to make a significant difference.