The Minister of Energy, Ms Tina Joemat-Pettersson, today met with representatives of the Energy Intensive User Group (EIUG). This Group represents the leadership of those companies that are the major users of energy in South Africa.
The aim of the meeting was to consult these key players in regard to the challenges of electricity supply, and to further strengthen the partnership in tackling these through collaborative approaches.
In opening the meeting the Minister called on industry to do what it could to provide solutions, and committed the government to building and sustaining the industrialisation of the country. Various options, including co-generation and independent power producers (IPPs) would be pursued, as well as demand management strategies. IPP programmes would be accelerated, and the Minister undertook to address any legislative and regulatory constraints.
The EIUG in turn committed its members to contribute its expertise to finding solutions, as it was currently doing through its participation in the Energy War Room. Various proposals would be made through BUSA for government consideration.
The EIUG thanked the Minister for convening the meeting, and indicated their wish that this should be an ongoing interaction.
For inquiries please contact:
Mr Johannes Mokobane
Cell: 082 766 3674
E-mail: Mediadesk@energy.gov.za
