KwaDukuza, South Africa – In a significant public consultation, the residents of Ilembe district expressed their majority support for the Electricity Regulations Amendment (ERA) Bill during the public hearings held at KwaDukuza Town Hall. The hearings, organized by the Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy, took place yesterday.
According to Parliament of South Africa, residents supported the Bill’s proposal to open power generation to private enterprises. However, they raised concerns over the Bill’s silence on environmental considerations, stressing that current electricity sources are inadequate and advocating for alternative, non-polluting power generation methods. They emphasized the need for a clear definition of permissible power generation methods, focusing exclusively on renewable and non-polluting sources.
Participants also addressed the vetting, experience, and registration processes for potential suppliers, pointing out the risk of collusion between companies. They highlighted the opportunity for ordinary people to participate in the power generation market and urged the committee to ensure effective oversight of the Bill’s implementation.
Another concern raised by the residents was the lack of emphasis in the Bill on the specific methods of power generation and their environmental impact. They noted that South Africa is one of the significant polluters in the Southern hemisphere and called for strict guidelines on power generation and distribution methods.
The residents supported the competition that the Bill aims to introduce in the electricity market but cautioned against its silence on potential collusion between companies regarding pricing. They proposed adding a clause in the Bill to address price control and regulations on electricity distribution and sale, including provisions against illegal activities.
Furthermore, the Bill was criticized for its vagueness regarding the companies expected to participate in the electricity sector and the economic benefits for local communities. Residents suggested that the Bill should include provisions to ensure local small businesses benefit from electricity companies’ operations.
However, a section of the attendees opposed the Bill, arguing that it signifies the privatisation of electricity generation. They expressed disappointment with the National Treasury and Parliament’s agreement on additional funding for Eskom under the condition of not using the funds for building extra generation capacity. Critics also felt that the Bill fails to recognize South Africa’s energy crisis adequately.
Mr. Sahlulele Luzipho, the Chairperson of the committee, appreciated the residents’ participation and assured them that their inputs would be considered in the committee’s deliberations and the subsequent report to be presented in the National Assembly.