Minister of Public Enterprises, Lynne Brown, says that the debate about the privatisation of Eskom is misguided.<\/p>\n
Instead, the debate should be about the long-term resolution to the\u00a0 country\u2019s energy challenges.<\/p>\n
It follows a report in Business Day on Tuesday (5 August), citing a number of unnamed Cabinet Ministers and government officials, who advocated for the unbundling and partial privatisation of Eskom.<\/p>\n
The Minister reiterated comments she made to the Joint Portfolio Committee on Energy and Public Enterprises in Cape Town last week.<\/p>\n
During her statement to the Joint Committee, Minister Brown said that the long-term resolution of the electricity situation will require the following:<\/p>\n
These guidelines were in support of President Jacob Zuma\u2019s announcement during the State of the Nation in June 2014 when he said: \u201cTo prepare for the implementation of the energy plan, we need to finalise the legislation that relates to the restructuring of the energy industry.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brown said the end-state of our electricity situation does not mean the fragmentation of Eskom. Instead it should be complementary in nature.<\/p>\n
\u201cEskom is critical for Government to implement its developmental agenda. And it would be a grave mistake to privatise this critical player in the economy.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to indicate that there is a portfolio of options for the Inter-Ministerial Task Team to consider. To my knowledge Cabinet has not discussed the matter of privatisation and there is no need to unnecessary raise temperatures around this matter.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is critical that the private sector participates in the energy sector and through IPPs this practice is firmly entrenched,\u201d said Minister Brown.<\/p>\n
Privatising Eskom beneficial to SA economy<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Eskom hiking electricity prices<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Eskom owed R3 billion by municipalities<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n