NUM anger at signing of renewable energy leases
THE National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said the signing of the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) by the Department of Energy was an insult to the poor and working class, and threatened to withdraw support for the ANC.
“We are highly angered that the ANC-ledgovernment has signed the outstanding 27 IPPs contracts. The clean energy project is hijacked by the capitalist for their narrow capitalist interests,” said Paris Mashego, NUM energy sector coordinator.
“The ANC-led government is privatising Eskom through the back door to satisfy their Davos handlers and white monopoly capital.”
Energy Minister Jeff Radebe on Wednesday signed the hotly contested agreements with 27 independent power producers on behalf of stateowned power utility Eskom.
Radebe said the 27 projects, located in mainly rural parts, represented a total of R56 billion of investment and about 2 300 megawatts of generation capacity to be added to the grid over the next five years.
“This investment of R56bn injected by the private sector into the economy, with no contribution from government other than support to Eskom in the event of a default by the buyer. This will have a positive impact on the economy and competition in the energy sector will certainly benefit the consumer,” Radebe said.
But Mashego said that NUM was not going to continue supporting the government because it was “destroying jobs”.
“Workers of this country will not continue to vote and support an organisation which is taking away jobs from the poor. We cannot perpetually campaign and vote for the so-called ‘new dawn’ as narrated by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“Over 40 000 jobs will be lost in mining, energy and the entire value chain, rendering Witbank and the surrounding areas ghost towns. “
Mashego said NUM was demanding that Ramaphosa stop and reverse the decision on the IPPs.
“We are tired of supporting the organisation which is indicating left but turning right.” – African News Agency (ANA)