Speaker, for the last three years I have been rising to object to the Minerals and Energy Budget Vote, largely because of its lack of support for renewable energy technologies.
However, today I am happy to say that the ID will support the Vote, primarily because of the fact that Nersa has finally promulgated realistic feed-in tariffs for renewable energy producers.
The ID hopes that this is the first step towards truly mainstreaming renewable energy in South Africa. However, having given our support, we must caution the department against any stalling tactics by Eskom, which for instance has held up an independent power producer in Newcastle for two years by failing to finalise a power purchase agreement.
Eskom simply cannot be allowed to hold the progressive objectives of the feed-in tariff to ransom by employing such stalling actions. We hope that the Minister will give this issue her urgent attention. I thank you.