Share

De Lille: CT wants new energy future

Cape Town - The City of Cape Town has set up a strategy work-group with the Western Cape government to explore energy security and the right future energy mix for the region, mayor Patricia de Lille said in a statement on Friday.

"We have to assess all of the options out there – from renewables to gas – and find the right sustainable combination for our current and future needs," said De Lille.

"The situation has changed too dramatically and too quickly to rely on the same old ideas. To be responsible, we have to explore new energy options for local government specifically and for the country more broadly."

READ: Poor load shedding plans affect businesses

She emphasised that Eskom, and not the City, is not responsible for load shedding and the City "cannot be held accountable for the disastrous policy failures of the national government".
 
In her view the national government’s turnaround on independent power producers (IPPs) over a decade ago prevented new sources of generation becoming viable options for the City's total energy supply.
 
"They underestimated the increase in demand and refused to plan accordingly. Instead of following a strategy of allowing smaller generating plants to come online, they followed a mega-projects strategy with Medupi and Kusile, where poor project management has delayed their activation to a point somewhere beyond the absurd," said De Lille.
 
"They failed to consider the right electricity pricing mechanisms for a growing country. And now their long-term solution is to turn to nuclear – a programme we do not need and cannot afford."

READ: SA to sell assets to raise R10bn for Eskom
 
In regulatory terms, traditionally, local government has had limited options in terms of sourcing generated power.

"The energy crisis in our country has changed that position. We can no longer be constrained by the way we used to do things and hope that, by doing the same things repeatedly, we can somehow force change," warned De Lille.
 
The City is willing to engage with prospective IPPs, partners and stakeholders to explore how it can accommodate its future energy needs from gas to renewables in the short- to medium-term.
 
"As we craft our strategy, we will be open to initiatives that help us shape a new energy future for the city and the region," she said.

* From February, the City of Cape Town will implement its new load shedding schedule.

ALSO READ: Change in Cape Town's load shedding schedule
 

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
19.00
-0.3%
Rand - Pound
24.11
-0.0%
Rand - Euro
20.61
-0.1%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.38
+0.4%
Rand - Yen
0.13
+0.6%
Platinum
901.60
-0.1%
Palladium
998.41
-0.8%
Gold
2,154.06
-0.3%
Silver
24.96
-0.3%
Brent Crude
86.89
+1.8%
Top 40
65,526
-1.1%
All Share
71,751
-0.9%
Resource 10
52,809
-1.0%
Industrial 25
99,160
-1.3%
Financial 15
16,511
-0.7%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders