Ministerial determination sanctioning private power procurement would spur investment, clear …

The chairperson of the South African Independent Power Producer Association (SAIPPA) believes that the quickest and cheapest way to reduce, or eliminate, South Africa’s growth-sapping risk of load-shedding would be for Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe to issue a Ministerial determination catering for private-to-private electricity supply agreements. Through Section 34 of the Energy Regulation Act (ERA), the Minister, in consultation with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), is empowered to determine that new generation capacity is needed to ensure the continued uninterrupted supply of electricity.