Cape Town - An energy department task
team driving legislation to pave the way for independent power
producers (IPPs) was accused on Tuesday of dragging its feet.
"In view of the lack of tangible
feedback after two-and-a-half months of expected work, the committee
expected more substantive work from the team," energy portfolio
committee chairperson Sisa Njikelana said on Tuesday.
The deadline for IPPs to start power
generation is next year.
"It is important that the independent system and market operator (ISMO) bill is completed in
record time," Njikelana added.
The committee denied a request by the
task team to be given an extension of four months to provide parliament with a scenario-building exercise and a due-diligence
report.
The committee told the team that the
first report-back of the scenario building would be in a month’s
time, and that the due-diligence report should be completed within
the next two months.
The ISMO bill is set to open the door
for independent power producers to access and supplement the
electricity transmission grid, which will come under significant
pressure while Eskom builds new power stations.
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