Increasing load shedding implemented by power utility Eskom in recent days highlights the pressing need for the urgent implementation of the energy action plan outlined by the government in July, according to consulting engineering and infrastructure advisory firm Zutari.
“What was great about the President’s speech was that he has opened the energy challenge to a shared solution with opportunities for everyone to have an impact, no matter how small,” said Foster. Another significant step is removing the threshold for embedded generation capacity entirely, noted Zutari.
“That is a real signal of incentive to Eskom’s commercial users and private residential customers that they can also contribute and support their own needs at the same time,” said Foster. While municipalities like Cape Town are already forging ahead in this regard, it applies to utility customers at present.