Good news that mines may generate own power

3 February 2020

The FF Plus welcomes the announcement by the Minister of Mineral Resources, Gwede Mantashe, that mines will be allowed to generate their own power. Mr Mantashe's other statement, namely that a new enterprise that will generate power must be established is, however, disappointing.

For years, the FF Plus has argued the viewpoint that consumer-producers are the best solution to the growing problem of power shortages. It will enable households to not only generate their own power, but also to earn an income from the surplus capacity. In this way, thousands of role players can contribute to the national power grid.

It appears, however, as if the government is obstinately clinging to an outdated centralised model. And, thus, the benefits of robustly distributed power supply are lost.

At present, the market forces are pulling in the opposite direction to the government and history has taught us that no government can withstand these forces in the long run.

Issued by Wynand Boshoff, FF Plus MP and chief spokesperson: Energy, 3 February 2020