The more government brings in the private sector to support it in overcoming SA's structural problems that plague our economy, the quicker they will be resolved. And energy remains the most critical emergency our country faces, says Busisiwe Mavuso.
Congratulations to energy regulator Nersa, as well as Operation Vulindlela, for getting two 100MW private sector solar plants approved. That's enough energy to supply electricity to about 31 000 households, a significant contribution in the context of our struggle to get supply to match demand and put load shedding behind us.
Sola Group on behalf of Tronox Mineral Sands will develop both solar PV plants in the North West. These are the first private sector energy plants of substantial size to be approved since June 2021, when President Cyril Ramaphosa raised the limit to generate electricity without a licence to 100MW from 1MW, although the governing legislation was gazetted only in August. But apart from public consultations not being required, the approvals process remained much the same as for a licence.
