Midvaal’s move to abandon reliance on Eskom for power a shining example for the rest of SA - expert

JOHANNESBURG - There are suggestions that municipalities across the country should follow in the footsteps of Midvaal Local Municipality by inviting independent power producers to supply electricity to households.

The municipality, located south of Gauteng, is in the process of forming a partnership with a private company to become its primary power.

This initiative is part of its plans to reduce reliance on Eskom due to high electricity prices and load shedding.

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The Midvaal Local Municipality is also looking to establish a public-private partnership with an independent power company to manage all its electricity infrastructure for the next 20 years.

The municipality believes a private company will be more effective in maintaining a reliable electricity supply than any state-owned entity.

Power and energy expert Professor Vally Padayachee supported this initiative, noting it offered greater reliability.

“Any initiative by a municipality to procure green energy must be encouraged and welcomed, given, inter alia, South Africa’s commitment to moving from a high-carbon to a low-carbon economy that encapsulates a fit-for-purpose, prudent, and balanced just energy transition,” explained Padayachee.

“In so doing, if it can also reduce its reliance on Eskom-supplied electricity, then this would be a first prize and the cherry on top because, as we all know, Eskom’s electricity prices have increased very quickly and gone through the roof.”

Midvaal Local Municipality officials also believe households could pay significantly less to keep their lights on compared to what they are currently paying Eskom.