ActionSA criticises government’s response to energy crisis, proposes nine-point plan to end load-shedding

ActionSA has on Wednesday expressed objections towards the Integrated Resources Plan (IRP) outside the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), Headquarters in Pretoria, criticising the government for failing to address the energy crisis urgently, leading to continuous load-shedding until at least 2030.

ActionSA President Herman Mashaba said load shedding remains a major issue that damages the economy and results in job losses, with the government’s efforts of burning R24.3 billion in diesel failing to prevent the worst load-shedding in history in 2023.

Mashaba said despite citizens and the private sector adding solar power to the grid, the ruling party has not made sufficient investments to solve the problem, prompting ActionSA to propose a nine-point plan focusing on Independent Power Producers to end load-shedding in South Africa. ActionSA’s nine-point plan aims to address the energy crisis in South Africa with various interventions.

It involves ending cadre deployment at Eskom to ensure skilled staff are appointed based on merit, combatting crime in the energy system, protecting critical services from rolling blackouts, decentralizing the energy market, establishing a competitive energy market, promoting solar power and renewable energy, enhancing public participation, and improving skills development in the energy sector.

By implementing these measures, ActionSA believes they can effectively end load shedding, as seen in the success of private sector initiatives like Rural Free State (Pty) Ltd in Frankfort.

RFS has invested in new infrastructure, including a solar farm that generates a significant portion of the town’s electricity needs, reducing the impact of load shedding.

Through partnerships with municipalities and private entities, ActionSA aims to create a more stable and sustainable energy system in South Africa, ultimately benefiting both the economy and the people.

ActionSA believes this model can be effectively implemented in municipalities nationwide as a feasible economic model to guarantee a reliable electricity provision to residents and protect employment.

Mashaba added that collaboration between the state and private sector is crucial to address the country’s challenges, but this requires voting on May 29 to remove the current ruling party from power.