Tag: #loadshedding

Energy SEZ for Middelburg

Energy SEZ for Middelburg

An inaugural meeting was held to discuss and formulate a way forward to implement an Energy Special Economic Zone for Middelburg on Wednesday 23 August 2023.

Mr Mnisi from the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDET) led the discussions on why and how an SEZ will benefit our town.  Representatives from the ESKOM JET office, the Mpumalanga Growth Agency, Mr Mandla Mnguni and other officials from the Steve Tshwete Municipal (STLM), the Mpumalanga Stainless Initiative, the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and various other government organisations discuss the proposal, and were met with confidence.

Mnisi said a special eMalahleni Renewable Energy Development Zone (REDZ) has been declared, comprising Victor Khanye, Ekandustria, Emalahleni, Steve Tshwete, and Emakhazeni municipalities. Benefits of being part of a special economic zone:

  1. 15% corporate tax
  2. Exemption from customs duties and VAT Free for companies in the SEZ
  3. Tax incentives for employment
  4. Accelerated depreciation for buildings

At the meeting on 23 August, a Technical Committee for the STLM SEZ was appointed to fast track the establishment of the zone. Any member interested in more information can contact Anna-Marth Ott for more details: ceo@middelburginfo.com.

No! Solar energy is not Free

No! Solar energy is not Free
At the Presidential Climate Change Commission meeting held at the CSIR on Friday,14 April 2023. The point of view of the meeting was that solar energy is free and we need to trust the government that the equitable energy transition will be fair (JET).

Many respected officials and ministers opened the event, but the most honest discussion came from a young student, Otsile Nkadimeng, who said that the current generation has gambled away their future. Unfortunately, he is not wrong. What will the future look like for the new job seekers after the current Eskom Loadshedding programme?

First, it is important to note that the conversion of solar energy into electrons/electricity is not free. It is very expensive to convert solar energy into such an amount that you can optimally run a house or, more importantly, a business. The type of solar panels, battery storage, inverters, electrician costs, environmental regulations, etc. can cost hundreds of thousands of rands.

A story is told that one company had allocated R1 million to run its business on solar energy, but the cost has now risen to R3 million and is growing. If you make the wrong purchase and set it up incorrectly, you’ll have to start from scratch and your hard-earned cash will have gone to waste.

During the strategy meeting at the Nkangala District Council in March 2023, a CSIR representative stated that the district and the Mpumalanga region will suffer a tremendous loss of employment because of the government’s JET programme. Many consultants talk about retraining the soon to be unemployed. I wonder what skills we will need when economic activity declines significantly.

Solar energy is not free and, because of the current power shortages, our current jobs are in danger. Our country and our region need cheap, reliable base load to stabilise our manufacturing sector for economic growth.

Loadshedding the Last Straw

Loadshedding the Last Straw
The business community in the Highveld region of Mpumalanga has been aware for years of corruption and third-party interference at Eskom that has muddied the economy of Mpumalanga.

Many businesses have been damaged, and many have had to close because of the corrupt activities associated with the two main sectors, coal mining and Eskom, in the province. When Eskom claimed that there was not enough coal to supply Eskom to generate electricity, to awarding complex engineering contracts to an undertaker. Well, whoever awarded that contract was perhaps preparing to bury our economy.

We invite its members to join hands with the organization so that we can put pressure on the various role-players to protect our businesses. MCCI has created MCCI’s Electricity Support Group, +27 78 801 9719, or contact Anna-Marth Ott, at 013 243 2253 or ceo@middelburginfo.com.

 

People in Ivory Towers have no interest in towns

People in Ivory Towers have no interest in towns

President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has met with business leaders, is hosting a briefing on the energy crisis with Business Unity South Africa, Business Leadership South Africa, and Black Business Council on Monday 16 January 2023.

Where is their mandate to meet on our behalf? Have they spoken to local businesses in different cities to find out about the situation on the ground? No, they do not have our mandate. Yes, they want to do business in our towns, sell us clothes, be our landlords, sell us their TV services, and the list goes on. But no, they do not negotiate with the local business community to find out what is also to our advantage.

The Eskom crisis feels like the municipal strike. No one in power takes action. What have the BUSAs, BLSA, and BBC done to find a workable solution to the current electricity crisis since 16 January? We need concerned local leaders, a united opposition front, and local business leaders to find solutions. We have the owner’s interest, not the big heads sitting in Gauteng. Their only interest is to make money in the Highveld of Mpumalanga.