Energy transition plan not well received

While South Africa flounders in yet another bout of stage six load shedding, critics say the new Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET IP) is of no help to anyone in the energy crisis or planned transition.

The Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) yesterday released two reports on the JET IP following extensive engagements within the first three months of this year with labour, civil society, faith-based groups, business and other groups, with its recommendations met by even more disappointment from experts and stakeholders.

Despite PCC commissioner Shamini Harrington noting communities and organised labour wanted the state to prioritise electricity access, affordability and employment in its plans to move towards diverse sources of energy, as well as support those who are at risk in SA’s energy transition, it seemed the plan still missed the plot.

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National Union of Mineworkers

The National Union of Mineworkers’ (NUM) Highveld regional chair Bizza Motubatse said since the project was announced in 2022, there had been no consultations with one of the largest mineworkers’ unions and Eskom employees.

“The idea of consultation is unfounded and we are disappointed it is happening without the transparency we called for when they announced it,” he said.

While Harrington said concerns were raised about job losses and privatisation – and the reduced role of Eskom in the future electricity supply system – Motubatse said even after concerns were raised, they failed to address the stakeholders’ fears.

Motubatse said although the PCC promised “a just transition puts people at the centre of decision-making, especially those most impacted – the poor, women, people with disabilities, and the youth – empowering and equipping them for new opportunities of the future”, it was just a lie.

Concerns

Energy analyst Lungile Mashele said the JET IP and the modelling around it was concerning. “Noone knows who they consulted because at the stakeholder workshops held a few weeks ago, there was general confusion on what the role of the PCC is,” she said.

“There are also fundamental differences in ideology, especially around the coal decommissioning and just the general lack of transparency at the PCC.”

She said with the energy plan, the JET plan, the work the National Energy Crisis Committee and the department of mineral resources had been doing, not interrelated, “my fear is none of these bodies are communicating effectively with each other”.

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