Bring more electricity companies - consumers
NHLANGANO – Several other role players are keen to generate electricity in the country and transform the energy industry from being a monopoly.
Water Services Corporation (EWSC) auditorium in Nhlangano last Saturday.
ESERA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sikhumbuzo Tsabedze revealed that some role players had shown interest in the local energy space, which impacts the monopoly. would save them from the tariff hikes proposed by EEC after every two years.
“Some companies have applied to generate electricity and they would then use the EEC grid for transmission and distribution. It is not advisable that they have their own electricity lines as that may impact negatively on the environment and will look untidy,” Tsabedze explained.
He said electricity was a delicate commodity that required specialised expertise.
“The industry is changing towards the right direction, and we are already seeing some consumers opting for renewable energy,” he stated.
Question
Tsabedze was responding to questions raised by Obed Ndlovu and Fana Khumalo, who wanted to know when the regulator would end the monopoly currently enjoyed by EEC.
Ndlovu said it was high time that government invited more companies to generate, transmit and distribute electricity for the selling costs to decline. Khumalo, on the other hand, argued that competition was needed to mitigate the prohibitive costs of electricity.
He recalled that there was an Australian company that once showed interest in generating electricity using coal at Lubhuku area, but the project never took off.
Meanwhile, Fundizwi Sikhondze submitted that using coal for electricity generation could lower the tariffs.
“Why is the country not generating power using coal? It would come in handy when there is not enough water for hydro-power generation and will also minimise the electricity imports from South Africa and Mozambique.”