Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
15 April 2023 | 20:38 CAT

The Green Connection and the Southern African Faith Communities Environment Institute, or SAFCEI, continue pursuing a court case that calls on President Cyril Raaphosa to implement Section 6 of the National Energy Act. The Minister of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) and the President remain steadfast in their position – which is NOT to bring Section 6 into operation.

Section 6 of the Act requires the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy to develop and publish the Integrated Energy Plan (IEP) and review it yearly. According to both eco-justice organisations, this lack of proper, updated energy planning lies at the root of the country’s current energy problems.

Explaining the importance of Section 6 for South Africa, the Executive Director at SAFCEI, Francesca de Gasparis, told Radio Islam International the Integrated Energy Plan considers all the critical factors in energy planning. These include climate change, socioeconomic impacts and affordable energy systems.

“It is the overarching blueprint that would address the primary issue of loadshedding and affordability amongst others,” she says.

Seemingly opposed to Section 6, the government is silent on why it failed to act from 2008 to 2020 and just as we remain in the dark with loadshedding, the paltry record sheds no further light on the government’s decision to disrupt the country’s energy systems and energy planning process by stalling the bringing of Section 6 into operation.

Francesca de Gasparis says, “Aspects of the IEP that most people would not be aware of include air quality management, greenhouse gas mitigation in the energy sector, social equity, and affordability. These are just some of the critical issues which the Minister would have to take into account in planning South Africa’s energy future if section 6 were in place. The law also says that the Minister must invite public comments and ‘duly consider such comments’, which means communities would also have a chance to have their say in energy plans.”

Listen to the full interview on Radio Islam’s podcast.