Diversifying Eskom’s energy mix, a suggestion echoed for years by numerous Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and the power utility’s CEO, André de Ruyter, could finally become a viable option for South Africa in the long-term.
Endorsing mining companies to generate their own electricity was among the issues discussed at an ANC lekgotla in January. It was reportedly said that this would be a positive step that would not only ease Eskom’s over-saturated power grid but could also provide employment opportunities and economic growth, according to ITWeb.
Mineral resources and energy minister Gwede Mantashe recently announced that regulatory changes could be expected soon, among them being that IPPs can generate their own electricity.
But the idea of moving away from coal and making use of IPPs is not new.
Sunday Times reports that when de Ruyter was initially interviewed to be the power utility’s new CEO three years ago, he had already suggested that alternative energy generation by IPPs would help the embattled SOE, and make electricity more affordable in the long term.
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