Stakeholders pin hope on Radebe to clean up energy sector

Jeff Radebe, minister of energy. Photo: Wikipedia

“It is probably not by accident that President Ramaphosa has appointed one of the most senior ANC members to the portfolio of energy. This sector has been troubled by one scandal after the other, which included the missing billions at Eskom, Mosgas, and the Strategic Oil Fund. Add to this the near miss on the Russian nuclear order disaster,” says independent energy expert Ted Blom.

“Depending on the chosen benchmark and whose numbers you trust, the missing billions amount to anything between R50bn and nearly R1.5trn, and the ANC can offer nobody with more gravitas than Jeff Radebe to address this mess, and hopefully claw back a fair proportion of the misappropriated funds.

Not only has Radebe accumulated the most experience of all ANC stalwarts, he has also spent the most time in the presidency and probably overheard a lot of the wayward planning, making it easier for him to unravel the birds nest of twisted facts.”

Following a year which has seen the appointment of three different energy ministers, the South African Wind Energy Association (Sawea) also welcomes the appointment of a senior minister to the portfolio, and it hopes he’ll ensure the conclusion of all duly procured outstanding power purchase agreements (PPAs) with independent power producers, as 2018 marks the third year that these have not been signed.

“The need for swift conclusion of the long-delayed PPAs is particularly critical for the many South Africans whose jobs are at risk in a sector which has endured extended uncertainty,” says Brenda Martin, CEO of Sawea.