Mantashe cannot scapegoat the private sector for load-shedding – here are 5 reasons why
2 May 2023
After spending the past 5 years, since his appointment as the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, frustrating and blocking the full participation of the private sector in the energy sector – Gwede Mantashe has made a shameless turn and is now accusing the private sector for the load-shedding crisis.
The reality is that no amount of blame shifting will hide the undeniable fact that Mantashe has, since his appointment, failed to move the needle on the procurement of independent power generation and the incentivisation of private investment in the sector. Together with his ANC comrades, he has fostered policy and regulatory uncertainty, and has not moved fast enough to remove red tape impeding the active participation of Independent Power Producers.
Listed below are the 5 occasions where Gwede Mantashe has either actively fought against private sector participation in the energy sector or has failed to remove red tape standing in the way of IPP investment:
“Overreliance on the private sector will be a mistake” – In November 2022, Gwede Mantashe insisted that electricity generation will remain largely in government hands for the foreseeable future. Mantashe said previously that overreliance on the private sector would be a mistake. He suggested the establishment of another state entity to compete with Eskom and boost energy supply.