Eskom muscles into SA policy void

A letter from Eskom to energy minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson requesting a dialogue before power purchase agreements (PPAs) are signed beyond the current renewable energy rounds has provoked a furious back-and-forth between Eskom and industry stakeholders in the media. On 21 July, an article in Business Day headlined ‘Eskom cuts off private power’ reported that Eskom chairman Ben Ngubane had written to Joemat-Pettersson stating that the utility would no longer sign PPAs with independent power producers (IPPs) for renewable energy schemes other than those already committed up to the expedited round ‘4.5’. The article led to many commentators renewing their call for an independent systems and market operator to ensure equitable access to the grid, a call echoed by many within the industry.