Voorsitter, Suid-Afrika staar steeds 'n energiekrisis in die gesig. Die feit dat Eskom nie seker is of beurtkrag wel hierdie winter gaan plaasvind nie, is tekenend daarvan. Daar is wel beweging om die kwessie aan te pak, maar daar is steeds heelwat sistemiese probleme wat bespreking verdien. Die gentegreerde energieplan se benadering om van 'n gediversifiseerde energiemengsel gebruik te maak, is sinvol en toon aan dat die holistiese benadering tot die energieprobleem wel inslag vind. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[Adv A D ALBERTS: Chairperson, South Africa is still facing an energy crisis. This is illustrated by the fact that Eskom is not sure whether load shedding will indeed be happening this winter. There has been some effort to address the matter, but there are still many systemic problems that need attention. The approach adopted in the integrated energy plan to utilise a diverse energy mix is logical, and indicates that the holistic approach to the energy problem is gaining acceptance.]
Minister, we are, however, very concerned about the easy way out that the government may want to take by implementing the so-called f-word, also known as fracking. If that is true, I have to ask the hon Minister and government: What the frack are you thinking? [Laughter.]
We have seen the evidence of the environmental fallout of mining this gas energy source. Yet government deems it fit to continue down this mad road! We have to ask on what environmental basis this is taking place. Who gave fracking a clean bill of health? We have also received information that the ANC's business friends are just waiting to leap into this field in the name of cadre self-enrichment.
Let me warn the Minister that fracking will be the ANC's third suicide scandal, the first being the arms deal and the second being the Gauteng e- tolling system. We will be watching to see who will position themselves to get tenders from this and we will, with the rest of the world, oppose this ill-founded idea of making money at the cost of nature. Minister, ons is ook bekommerd oor Eskom. Ons het inligting dat Eskom van 2016 tot 2020 'n steenkooltekort van 100 miljoen ton per jaar in Mpumalanga gaan h. Die koste om die steenkool van ander gebiede af in te bring, sal die kragtariewe weer eens astronomies laat spring. Daar word gepraat van 'n tarief van meer as R10 per kilowatt-uur wat daaruit sal ontstaan. Kan die Minister bevestig wat Eskom se plan is om hierdie potensile krisis die hoof te bied? (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[Minister, we are also worried about Eskom. We have information indicating that Eskom will experience a coal shortage of 100 million tons per year in Mpumalanga from 2016 tot 2020. The cost of obtaining coal from other areas will once again result in an astronomical electricity tariff hike. It is speculated that this will lead to a tariff of more than R10 per kilowatt- hour. Could the Minister indicate Eskom's plan to avert this potential crisis?]
Lastly, the rising fuel prices are systematically eroding the income of working South Africans and the ability of business to create jobs. While we cannot control the external oil price movements, we do have control over the internal market. At the very least, by introducing competition into the petroleum segment of the market, we can unleash forces that could drive the price down when the rest of the oil-producing world wants to engage in war or manipulates production.
Aan die einde sal ons moet voortbeur na die gebruik van meer volhoubare kragbronne. Ons sal egter ook ontslae moet raak van kaderontplooiing, korrupsie en swak uitvoering van planne. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[In the end we will have to push ahead with the utilisation of renewable energy sources. However, we will also have to get rid of cadre deployment, corruption and the poor implementation of plans.]
Above all, Minister, leave those fracking plans off the table!