S. African gov't reaffirms commitment to renewable energy program

The South African government is committed to the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Program (REIPPP), the Presidency said on Thursday.

"The Presidency wishes to clarify that all the Independent Power Producer Programmes, namely renewable energy, coal and gas and any other determinations made by the Minister of Energy are and remain government policy, and are supported by the Presidency," said Presidency spokesperson Bongani Ngqulunga.

The Presidency issued the statement amid concerns raised in the public domain that the government would abandon the REIPPP.

Last month, reports surfaced that state-own electricity utility Eskom Chairman Ben Ngubane had written a letter to Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson, stating that the utility will no longer sign purchase agreements without engagement over the matter, saying its board had concerns about the REIPPP and there was a need for the government to look at all the implications for Eskom and its future.

President Jacob Zuma has taken note of the concerns raised in the public domain about confusion or doubt that may have been created about the program, said the spokesperson.

Recent public statements, which may have cast doubt on government's commitment to the IPP (Independent Power Producer) programme, are not government policy and do not reflect the position of government on the matter of renewable energy," Ngqulunga added. Endit