Hansard: Appropriation Bill: Debate on Vote No 28 – Energy

House: National Assembly

Date of Meeting: 19 Apr 2010

Summary

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Minutes

TUESDAY, 20 APRIL 2010

PROCEEDINGS OF EXTENDED PUBLIC COMMITTEE – OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER

______________________________

Members of the Extended Public Committee met in the Old Assembly Chamber at 16:36.

House Chairperson Ms M N Oliphant, as Chairperson, took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.

The MINISTER OF ENERGY (Budget Vote debate)


START OF DAY

APPROPRIATION BILL

Debate on Vote No 28 – Energy:

The MINISTER OF ENERGY: Madame Chairperson and members of the Energy Portfolio Committee, hon members, this Budget Vote debate takes place at the time when the ANC has made bold its commitment to operate within the context of a developmental state that must play an active role in ensuring that energy poverty is banished.

Last year, a day after Christmas, the child of a key energy activist from KwaZulu-Natal died from wounds he sustained arising directly from lack of access to modern forms of energy. This is a microcosm of similar incidents that are silently happening and impacting on the most vulnerable of our society. Maya Angelou wrote, "history, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not to be lived again."

We are committing through this budget our resolve to do everything in our power to reduce the dire consequences of energy poverty in our country. We are determined to face our mandate with courage and fortitude, and to not, as Maya Angelou says, "live history again".

If you take into account policy positions and legislative adjustments that we have to carry out in this financial year, you will realise that, compounded by the current economic downturn, the resources that have been allocated to deal with these challenges are limited.

My Department was appropriated R5,35 billion for 2010-11; R5,739 billion for 2011-12; and R5,538 billion for 2012-2013 respectively. Of our budget, 97%, about R5,3 billion, will be transferred to the Integrated National Electrification Programme, Necsa , energy efficiency and demand-side management and Transnet, leaving the Department with R202 million, which translates to 3% of the total budget allocation.

I must stress that this budget only allows us to implement 51% of our operating structure. The structure will be implemented in phases, starting with areas which are critical and essential for service delivery, compliance and the exercising of oversight functions with regard to state-owned enterprises reporting to the department.

Energy shortages and sustained high energy prices have caused concerns globally about both the sustainability of supply and the affordability of energy for economic development and poverty eradication. It is these concerns that have resulted in the re-emergence of energy security as a major policy imperative in almost all economies - developed and developing.

This year, we will draft and publish an Integrated Energy Planning Strategy, which is expected to outline the requisite processes, systems and structures that will lead to the development of the comprehensive Integrated Energy Plan, IEP, as envisaged in the National Energy Act 34 of 2008. The IEP is essentially an umbrella policy or plan which acts as a guide for the entire energy sector and takes into consideration supply and demand within the oil and gas industries as well as the electricity sector.

It is our considered view that we should develop a strategy before embarking on the development of the plan itself, to ensure that all our processes and structures are fully inclusive and aligned with other government-wide processes such as the National Planning Commission. It is also important for us to clearly communicate how we see this plan interfacing with the Integrated Resource Plan II, IRP2, and ensuring that there is alignment between these plans.

Key to us achieving our objective of developing the IEP will be for us to obtain relevant, comprehensive, up to date and quality data relating to energy resources, production, consumption, environmental impact, as well as macro-economic factors. This data is hard to come by as it is often collected voluntarily in pockets and often on an ad hoc basis, which makes effective planning a challenge.

Accordingly, within the next week, I will publish regulations that aim to make it mandatory for different stakeholders to provide the department with energy-related data on a periodic basis. The regulations will also indicate the type of data that we seek, as well as the potential sources for that data. During the course of the current calendar year, activities in this regard will focus on developing forms and mechanisms for collecting this data from various sources.

The electricity sector has never been as vulnerable as it is today. It has started to decline, particularly given the reality of the fact that our generation assets have been in operation for a period longer than 30 years. The economic performance over the past quarter has indicated that we are emerging out of the recession faster than most countries have done globally. We find ourselves in this vicious trap, where, on the one hand, our economy is growing due to the global economic upturn and, on the other hand, our ability to balance the supply and demand of electricity is under threat.

We thank President Zuma for his foresight in establishing the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Energy in a bid to ensure that the democratic government brings together almost all disciplines in order to usher in a new era for implementing our energy mix policy that will catapult our country into a modern society.

Towards the end of last year we promulgated, an interim Integrated Resource Plan, which we referred to as IRP1, to cover the period 2010 to 2013. The IRP1 sought to provide us with space to deal with stakeholder engagement, economic growth assumptions, engagement with intensive energy users in the context of the Energy Conservation Programme, renewable energy matters, demand-side management and energy efficiency initiatives, climate change imperatives, as well as understanding what the Southern African power pool can deliver. The IRP2 currently under development will cover a period of 25 years and will put into effect our President's commitments in line with our long-term mitigation scenarios.

The decision of the World Bank to grant a loan to Eskom, our state utility tasked with the supply of electricity, will enable us to continue with our build programme as well as broadening the use of renewable and clean energy sources in our country. Working together with the Department of Science and Technology and through Sanedi, our energy research entity, we will find home grown scientific answers to the issue of carbon capture and storage as well as using our abundant coal reserves to produce clean forms of energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To facilitate meaningful engagement processes for IRP2, we will, within the next few days, introduce an interactive website, www.energyirp2010.co.za, and we will also hold workshops and stakeholder forums dedicated to culminate in the country's electricity plan.

On the private sector participation in the electricity sector, you will recall that Cabinet took a decision that 30% of our new generation capacity should be supplied by independent power producers. We, however, remain firmly committed to the fact that transmission should remain under the control and ownership of the democratic developmental state.

In order to give effect to the 2010 state of the nation address injunction by President Zuma, we are establishing, as a solution in the short term, and within the next six months, the Independent System and Market Operator, ISMO, in order to, amongst others, resolve the perceived conflict of interest with regard to the role of Eskom as both buyer and seller of electricity. Legislation related to the establishment of the ISMO as a public entity is about to be tabled before Cabinet and as is the convention this will go through this House soon thereafter. In the main, the ISMO will have the responsibility to negotiate the power purchase agreements. I am happy to confirm that the first 300MW of cogeneration from IPPs will be signed within the next month.

A financial incentive scheme will be introduced, to be known as the standard offer, in terms of which project developers will be able to claim a rebate in respect of the amount of energy they have saved from the electricity system.

We intend to intensify energy efficiency in the estimated 100 000 public buildings which will be retrofitted to comply with energy efficiency standards. The Department of Public Works is called up on to ensure that all provincial governments departments participate in this project. It is unfortunate that the hospitality industry has not fully embraced the energy efficiency spirit of this campaign as expected.

NP

END OF TAKE

Last year we made the commitment to install solar water heaters as one of a myriad of interventions to address the challenges of electricity demand. We needed to do thorough work with the industry and sister departments to ensure that when we roll out this programme, we have covered every piece of ground that had to be covered. The outcomes of this programme are expected to include the following: electricity demand reduction of about 3 600MW; localisation of solar water heating technology – for which the design and production will be done in the country; climate change mitigation; job creation; as well as skills development.

In terms of this programme, access to hot water will not be determined by your socioeconomic standard. I am delighted to indicate to this august House that on 28 of April 2010 President Zuma will launch the first massified solar water heater project in Winterveldt. This is a precursor to numerous other solar water heating projects that will ultimately result in the displacement of coal by the sun as a preferred energy carrier for water heating in this country. [Applause.]

This year, the department will be launching the Working for Energy Programme, with the primary objective of using the feedstock created from clearing alien biomass vegetation to produce power. We are happy to announce that we are working with municipalities and the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs with regard to waste to energy project. This work and that of the solar water heating programme are being undertaken in the context of the Industrial Policy Action Plan II, IPAP2, and it solidifies our commitment to green economy

On matters related to renewable energy, we have concluded the Clinton Climate Initiative, a prefeasibility study that I announced last year. This initiative aims to establish the concept of a solar park in our country. We will be making further announcements in this regard in the near future. In order to confirm governments' commitment with regard to the use of renewable energy, we have launched two flagship initiatives: a small scale hydro at Bethlehem in the Free State, and a Waste to Electricity Project at eThekwini. These projects have added 13MW to the total supply capacity in our country.

The integrity of the electricity distribution sector is threatened by increasing backlogs in maintenance and rehabilitation, which currently stand at an estimated R27 billion. The introduction of an intensive network rehabilitation programme has become more urgent and critical. This has to be pursued together with a parallel regulatory plan to ensure that rehabilitation is sustained by a sound maintenance strategy. The funding for such a programme is planned to be done in the form of a combination of fiscal and tariff allocations and I would like to thank EDI Holdings for the tremendous work they have done in this regard.

Rural development and energy poverty seems to go hand in hand. This department recognises that we have to play a central role in the imperatives outlined in the ANC manifesto in so far as rural development is concerned. Access to and the effective utilisation of energy remain key ingredients in our quest to move the masses of our people out of the spectre of poverty and underdevelopment. Our integrated energy centres are but one of the many interventions led by this department as part of the comprehensive response of government to the challenge of bridging the gap between liquid fuels and electricity.

Since the inception of the Integrated National Electrification Programme, more than 80% of formal households in six provinces have been electrified. However, serious challenges remain in the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and the Eastern Cape. The department has prioritised the building of network capacity in these provinces to support additional connections. Working with the Department of Basic Education, we will ensure that all identified functional centres of learning will be electrified this year. This year, with the fiscal allocation of R2,8 billion, the department will only achieve 150 000 new household connections plus 10 new and upgraded bulk substations and lines. We will use the possibility that is offered by the off-grid electricity programme to connect an additional 10 000 households utilising solar home systems for lighting and running a few electronic appliances.

One of our concerns, as electricity tariffs increase, is premised on the impact of high tariffs on the indigent. Whilst this concern is well-substantiated, it has become critical to dispel some misconceptions regarding the emotive subject of electricity tariff determination on how tariffs are applied to domestic, commercial and industrial customers. We will mitigate the adverse impact of tariff increases on the poor through a number of mechanisms over and above the Free Basic Electricity Programme. The first mechanism is based on inclining block tariffs and the second one is related to the savings on the electricity bill derived from the solar water heating programme.

We will work with the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the National Treasury to sort out the funding of municipalities in so far as electricity distribution infrastructure is concerned. We need municipalities on our side as energy champions. In the meantime we call on municipalities to apply surcharge increases in a manner that is sensitive to the circumstances of the indigent.

We are happy to report that South Africa has successfully converted our Safari-1 reactor from a high enriched uranium to a low enriched uranium-based facility. We will be the first radio isotope producing country to have completed this conversion process, which is a requirement for supplying radio isotopes into certain key markets. Further good news is also that South Africa is a leading supplier of medical radio isotopes globally. [Applause.]

We must also indicate that, during the recent Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, President Zuma was highly commended on South Africa's commitment to nuclear disarmament and the peaceful use of nuclear power. We were one of only eight countries in this category out of a total of 43, which were complimented for aligning ourselves with a worldwide effort to combat the proliferation of nuclear technology. [Applause.] President Zuma further reaffirmed our stance of using nuclear energy for power generation, water provision as well as healing and feeding the nation.

We intend to implement our decision to introduce additional nuclear base load power as part of the process of developing the IRP. We are steadfast in our commitment to the right of our people to know about all the sides of the equation of the nuclear debate. We have an obligation to enable our citizenry to better understand all issues related to nuclear power. We will continue with our process of unmediated communication on this matter. As a responsible government, we have commenced with the establishment of a National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute which will be responsible for the management of all radioactive waste pursuant to a safe waste disposal regime.

Whilst public discourse has largely been focused on electricity, the liquid fuels challenges are equally daunting. There is a need for extensive investment in infrastructure for liquid fuels. In order to inform long-term investment and provide security of supply, there is a need to revise existing plans and strategies.

To this end, I have directed the department to develop a comprehensive 25-year Liquid Fuels Infrastructure Plan by the end of this fiscal year. This plan will cover port, pipeline, storage as well as distribution infrastructure. It will also include future refining capacity development requirements.

The National Oil Company, PetroSA, is an instrument in the hands of the government that we can use to implement the provisions of the Energy Security Master Plan, as well as the provisions contained in the Liquid Fuels Charter. We are determined to make sure that PetroSA plays a leading role in providing a solution to South Africa's liquid fuels challenges. This strategic national asset must be repositioned to compete with the best and the most efficient oil companies in its line of business.

We have continuously indicated that government supports plans to develop a new crude oil refinery at the Coega Industrial Development Zone. In addition to addressing the growing gap between the demand and supply of liquid fuels, this project will facilitate the implementation of new clean fuels standards. Clean fuels, because of lower toxic emissions, are essential for the health of people as well as improved engine performance in motor vehicles. Importantly, it will mitigate the country's growing reliance on imported finished product which is due to insufficient local refining capacity.

The department is presently reviewing the recommendation to proceed with the front end engineering studies made by the national oil company following the completion of the feasibility study and I will make further announcements in this regard in the near future.

In recognition of the fact that more than 60% of our liquid fuels demand lies within the Durban-to-Johannesburg corridor and the fact the Durban-to-Johannesburg Pipeline had become inadequate to transport the required volumes of petroleum products from the coast to the inland regions, the department in its Energy Security Master Plan included the construction of a bigger new multiproduct pipeline by Transnet.

Pursuant to that, the department, in conjunction with the Department of Public Enterprises and National Treasury, has worked on funding mechanisms for the New Multiproduct Pipeline, NMPP. In the Budget Speech on 13 February 2010, the Minister of Finance provided for a security of supply levy to enable motorists to contribute funds towards the construction of the NMPP. In this regard, the department has been allocated an amount of R4,5 billion over the Medium-Term Expenditure, MTEF, period to fund the additional capacity for the security of supply of petroleum products.

My department has developed a Strategic Stocks Policy for petroleum products to ensure that the economy does not suffer from shortages during severe liquid fuel supply disruptions. The department will be engaging other economic sector departments on the draft policy document that has been developed. I expect to table this document to Cabinet before the end of the first quarter of the 2010-11 fiscal year.

As part of our contribution towards cleaner burning fuels, we are determined to modernise South Africa's fuel specifications. To formulate a common governance position, an interdepartmental task team was formed last year. We have undertaken preliminary engagements with key stakeholders such as the SA Petroleum Industry Association and the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa. We expect to issue a roadmap on clean fuels during the third quarter of 2010-11.

We are currently reviewing the Petroleum Products Act with a view to further strengthening our legislative framework's ability to address the needs of a developing state, including the transformation of the liquid fuels industry. We are concerned that the prohibition of vertical integration in the petroleum industry has not yielded the desired results of opening up access to refined products by emerging entrepreneurs at the refinery gate prices.

In response to public outcry about exorbitant liquid petroleum gas, LPG, prices, the department undertook to regulate the retail price of LPG supplied to residential customers. The Department is working towards implementing the regulations of the retail price of LPG, which empowers the Minister to determine the price on a monthly basis. This is in line with government's effort to expand the energy mix and promote LPG as an efficient energy carrier for household cooking and other thermal purposes. The department will also commence with the development of an LPG strategy to holistically address all challenges in the LPG sector, chief amongst which is the security of supply and affordability.

This year, the department will finalise and implement the regulatory accounting system for the petroleum sector that will be used to determine appropriate margins for wholesale, coastal storage, handling secondary storage, distribution and the return on assets for the benchmark service stations. The ultimate goal is to achieve a uniform and transparent set of regulatory accounts where costs are allocated according to predetermined methods. This will provide certainty to investors with regard to the return on assets throughout the petroleum industry value chain. We will achieve this by ring-fencing regulated from unregulated activities in order to eliminate actual and potential cross-subsidies. It is envisaged that a properly functioning regulatory system will promote appropriate investments in the sector.

On petroleum licensing, I am pleased to report that during the course of the last financial year 3 041 licence applications were processed.

I am mindful of the backlog in this area, and have therefore instructed the department to reduce the stipulated 90-day period for processing applications without sacrificing the quality and evaluation of applications. From 1 April 2010 licence applications can now be lodged in all nine provinces.

November 2010 will mark a decade since the liquid fuels charter was adopted. As part of the process of reviewing the performance of the liquid fuels sector we will be convening an Indaba later this year. This will afford opportunities for new and aspirant entrants to have a platform that will enable them to benefit from the opportunities that accrue from this sector as well as share information with the established industry players. [Time expired.] [Applause.]

NP

END OF TAKE

Mrs E THABETHE


The MINISTER OF ENERGY

Mrs E THABETHE: Chairperson, Minister, the director-general of the department and the staff from their positions, deputy directors-general, chief directors, the chief executive officers of our entities and all the guests in the gallery, including my children, my four girls upstairs there ... [Applause.] Minister, boys are coming later but its girls now.

IsiZulu:

Igama lamakhosikazi.

English:

Minister, let me start with a brief report on the 2010 readiness in terms of the energy. As I mean, we were privileged as the energy committee that I was their Induna; I was leading them – men and women from this Parliament, from seven committees, and we visited all nine the host cities. It is with great pleasure that – Minister, I am sure you will sleep better tonight, in terms of the preparations. As far as the committee is concerned, we are on board concerning many issues; it can be the hospitality area, roads etc, but also includes hotels and airports. Well, there are a few airports that still have to do the touch ups, and some airports are still finishing their infrastructure.

In terms of energy and the stadiums that we visited, most of them are unbelievable, especially if you visit them at night. You can really see that we've got beautiful stadiums and the good legacy that the 2010 Fifa World Cup is going to leave behind. All of these hinges on energy, because if you don't have energy, your hotels, and so forth, all of them, even your cars on the road, will be stationary.

So, regarding the energy supply, as well as what contingency plans are in place, we were assured, and we also visited some power stations. Some of them have been upgraded and, we were quite happy, all of us, that in terms of energy, we are not going to be short in terms of 2010. I am sure that we are not going to experience any load shedding but of course, you might never know.

IsiZulu:

Mhlawumbe uma kukhona labo abasiphonsayo, laba abaloyayo.

English:

Mr Ross, I'm not sure how you call them, those who don't sleep at night carrying a broom. Are they "tooring" [bewitching] or what? [Laughter.] Something like that, unless you have that, then I am sure we can have problems but otherwise, we were quite happy to have such a good energy supply when testing those stadiums.

Coming back to the debate, the fundamental challenge of every developing country like South Africa is how it mobilises its resources in a way that will bring the structural change necessary to stimulate a sustained and balanced growth for the entire economy and effect economic redistribution. I am sure we all know our gini coefficient. I don't have to repeat that, but the economic path advocated by the ANC embraces economic growth, and shared economic growth, economic development and redistribution.

Our view as legislators is that this Budget Vote must be able to speak to the transformational and developmental imperatives that we advocate as the ANC, as we reject a growth path that seeks to marginalised the poor. We believe that whilst advancing the economic development agenda, the fulfilment of basic needs remains a priority. Surely, the Polokwane conference asked for, amongst other things, government to be directly involved with the creation of decent jobs, an expanded role for the Expanded Public Works Programme and for job opportunities to directly target vulnerable groups, such as the rural poor, women and youth. Poverty and unemployment remain a challenge, and we believe that government should plan accordingly and increase allocations in order to address these challenges. Surely, we still have energy poverty in South Africa.

Primary to the development and growth of every economy is the availability of a strong and reliable electricity grid and sustainable supply of liquid fuels. Hence, it is our view that the integrated energy planning should be introduced soon and make sure that we can provide the framework for a broader energy plan for South Africa, on which we were briefed during strategic plan and the Budget Vote deliberations on how far and when. The reality is that all the plans that are intended to stimulate the economic development will fall flat if the security of an energy supply cannot be guaranteed.

In acknowledging the significance of the energy sector in economic growth and development, substantial investments will have to be made on the capital expansion programme, especially within the context of seeking to increase on the current electricity margins which have narrowed drastically, and we need then to act swiftly. These investments to us will give impetus to the 52nd ANC Conference resolutions, as it is our view that infrastructure investment will add the necessary boost to the economy and stimulate activity in connected sectors, thus creating and preserving jobs, and speeding up the process to build infrastructure. We need to achieve our economic and social goals, consistent with our manifesto commitments. It is no secret that the ruling party, the ANC, has got a manifesto that we all know with the five priorities, and we hope that, Minister, you're department is not going to fail us to implement those because we believe in all the five; the energy aspect is there. You cannot achieve any of them without making sure that you've got energy policy implementation.

Investment on the massification of solar water heating, as you have just said, Minister, will have to be increased as a way of contributing to energy efficiency, but we also intend to voice our dissatisfaction about the failure of the department to massify the rollout of solar water heaters in the last financial year. I am sure you remember that you announced this last year, about one million solar water heaters, and we, as the committee, were given figures that were not satisfactory. However, we were assured that this financial year will have a minimum of 200 000. We can have a maximum but we will make sure that we pin the department down to what they have agreed upon because it was not only one meeting; it was more than three meetings, where we really interrogated them, and they said that they were going to do it.

So, we are going to make sure that we perform our oversight role, as the President said, as activist Parliament. We make sure that we want to see these happening. We will not resort to Committee Room V227 all the time; we will go out there and have a look. If we don't find them, I am sorry, I am not sure whether dust will fly or what - ash will fly.

We also wish to call on the department to speed up the process of cogeneration as alluded to by the Minister on the independent power producers, IPPs. I take it that it was an instruction from the President because in his state of the nation address, he raised that issue and said we must deal with the IPPs. So, I take it that, Minister, you are endorsing what the President has said, and we want to see implementation this financial year, not next year.

GG//Mia

END OF TAKE

This will signify the seriousness of the energy sector as a key driver of the South African economy, and we are also of the firm view that the time is opportune to make sure that we can contribute to the energy mix policy, as the Minister has just advocated, through increasing renewable energy and clean energy sources.

We believe that the commitments to the energy mix should be confined to policy documents and resolutions, as I said, of the ruling party, as we believe that it is going to be practical to do so. As much as we can talk about the renewable energy, Minister, I want to remind you of what the President said in Copenhagen in December. I was fortunate, together with Lance Greyling, to be part of the delegation of parliamentarians who went to Copenhagen where we dealt with MPs and our role as MPs in terms of climate change.

Whilst addressing the conference, the President acknowledged the importance of having regard for responsible energy utilisation and the imperative to grow the economy, and said:

Climate change is a practical matter for the developing world. Developed countries are historically responsible for around 80% of the current emissions in the atmosphere. Developing countries are the most affected by climate change and are the least capable to adapt to the impact, as they justifiably pursue their own development path. It is expected that developing countries' emissions will increase.

That was on 18 December in Copenhagen. So, I believe that within your department you will make sure that we adhere to this and make sure that we can then move to renewable energy with speed. In the same vein, the President also talked about electricity that is not reaching our people. However, on the question that he raised, which I also raised last year ...

IsiZulu:

... othi ngimcaphune ukuthi wathini: "Bakwethu ngonyaka odlulile sathi abantu basemakhaya nabo banelungelo lokuba nogesi, amanzi, izindlu zangasese ezigijima amanzi, nemigwaqo. Sathi kufanele babe nezindawo zemidlalo kanye nezindawo zokuthenga ezinkulukazi, eziphucukile njengezase madolobheni.

English:

I'm sure he was talking about the malls and the stadiums. Surely we have those now in terms of the 2010 legacy, but regarding access to energy, we still have a problem, so we hope that ...

IsiZulu:

... umnyango wakho Ngqongqoshe, uzoqinisekisa ukuthi abantu basemakhaya bayahlomula kulo nyaka ngoba uma bengahlomuli, sizoba nenkinga enkulu yokuthi sithembisa abantu sijike bangasakutholi lokho, kanti uMongameli ukhulumile kulo nyaka, waphinda futhi wakhuluma yona lento abeyikhulumile onyakeni ophelile. Ngithemba ukuthi uzoyithatha uyisebenzise, sibone ukuthi kuyagqubeka yini.

English:

Coming to EDI Holdings, the Minister congratulated them on a job well done, and I also want to thank the chairperson, Duma Nkosi, and the chief executive officer, Phindile Nzimande, for allowing Mbulelo Musi to be part of the teams that were assessing the stadiums. He was of good use, and he also made good contacts with his counterparts. Keep it up EDI, and we hope that you will be able to get more from him.

Concerning the question of the Regional Electricity Distributors, Reds, we believe that we need to move with speed, and we need to support the 17 constitutional amendments that are before the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. We believe that we will be able to make sure that those amendments are adhered to, because part of the problem is the equipment or what we have in terms of electricity in most of the municipalities - the ailing infrastructure - and I am not sure why there are utterances if I say the constitutional amendments, because to me it is a priority if you want to make sure that you deal with this particular issue, and this is the only way to do it.

Surely, this is not the baby of the ANC? We inherited these things from the people who planned for 13% of the population and left out 87%. [Applause.] So, people must never ever stand here and tell us that it is the ANC-led government after 16 years. In order to deal with the legacy, you don't need 16 years; you need years. So, I believe that with this we will be able to move fast and make sure that we can deal with these issues.

Coming to the National Energy Regulator of SA, Nersa, I think Nersa estimated that the country's loss in terms of electricity was no less than R2,8 billion per annum. This is owing to, among other things, fragmentation, duplication and inefficient use of resources, and, not the least of these, poor maintenance. The EDI did the research and submitted it to the department and to the portfolio committee. We believe that the use of it is telling us that we need to act swiftly in order to deal with the question of Reds.

As the ANC, we therefore urge all the members, various stakeholders, businesses, labour, civil society and, indeed, the government as a whole to work closely in ensuring that this important transformation is accelerated as a matter of urgency.

We believe that this is one matter that will empower the poor and make sure that electricity can then be accessed cheaply and with speed. We also believe that the Regional Electricity Distributors Establishment Bill, which will create the necessary enabling environment for the establishment of Reds, is expected as a matter of urgency, Minister. I'm not sure whether it was part of your priorities or not, but if that is not the case, we want to see this happening and make sure that we can deal with this.

Coming to nuclear power, today we were briefed at the committee level by Nersa, the SA National Nuclear Regulator, NNR, and the department. Minister, a matter of concerned was raised by other members and me. We seem to have budgeted less for these institutions, but we've got an energy mix policy. But we fail to understand then how one can budget less if one talks about renewable energy and about the President's participation at Copenhagen – and ensuring that we can think globally and act locally at the same time in order to make sure that we don't lose out in terms of what we must do as a country. So, to us, it was really a concern from the briefings we had and even now. We believe that we make sure that we deal with those issues that we need to deal with with speed. Otherwise, we support the Budget Vote ...

IsiZulu:

Sizokusiza Ngqogqoshe sisebenzisane nawe kahle. Siyethemba ukuthi abomnyango bazokwenza lokhu okudingekayo. Kodwa ke uma bengakwenzi, hhayi ukukusekela kwethu sizokugudluza kancane. Ngoba, sifuna ukubona i-oversight work yenzeka. Kuphelile ukuthi sikhulume nje, sesinikezwe amandla phela manje, nalesisabelo-mali singayishitsha, noma siyibeke phambili, noma sense nomayini. Akusekona lokuya kwasekuqaleni, ngakho ke siyethemba ukuthi wena nomnyango wakho nizokwazi ukuthi nenze lokho. Siyabonga. [Kuphele isikhathi.] [Ihlombe.]

NPM/English and IsiZulu//Mia

END OF TAKE

Mr S C MOTAU


Mrs E THABETHE

Mr S C MOTAU: Hon Chair, hon Minister, on Friday, 12 March 2010, my colleague here the hon David Ross and I went to the National Energy Regulator of SA, Nersa, offices in Pretoria, among other things, to appeal, plead and beg that the regulator review, reverse or reduce the impending Eskom tariff increase of about 25% a year for the next three years.

We were galvanised into action by our deep concern for the heavy burden that such steep increases in electricity tariffs, coming as they would so soon after the huge tariff hikes previously, would have on the poor and the unemployed people of this country. We believed then, and do so now, that the effects of these increases will not be good for this country. We wanted Nersa to intervene to mitigate the blow.

On 18 March 2010, Nersa responded to us, and we want to thank Mr Thembani Bukula and his colleagues at Nersa for giving us a hearing. We however regret, deeply, that Nersa did not accede to our pleas.

Consequently, 1 April 2010 became a very bleak day for the electricity consumer in South Africa as these big tariff hike increases came into being. The impact of these increases has yet to be calculated, but there is no doubt in our minds that the poor people of this country and the overburdened middle class will bear the brunt of these hikes and that this will have serious negative consequences for our economic recovery efforts. [Applause.]

When we went to Nersa they said ...

Sepedi:

... batho bao ba sa šomišego mabone a matši, ke gore mohlagase o montši, ba seke ba tshwenyega ka gore go nale mokgwa wa go bea diporeisi tšeo. Tona o boletše ka taba yeo. Ke nnete fao fela nna ke a gana, ke re le ge e kaba sente yeo e swanetšego gore e oketšwe mo tšheleng yeo ya mohlagase, batho ba ba humanegileng le bao ba senang mešomo ba ka se e kgone. Re a tsena gore le gona bjale go nale batho ba bantši bao ba sa kgonego go lefela dikelo tša bona tša mohlagase. Bjale re re a re lemogeng taba yeo.

English:

A major unintended consequence of the Nersa decision is that Eskom will be further emboldened to continue to use the threat of blackouts to get its way. And so the government and the beleaguered consumer will be forced to cough up even more to the avaricious monopolistic power producer. There seems to be no end in sight to this vicious spiral.

The DA urges strongly that capital be found from the markets to secure Eskom's build programme. The energy environment must also be made able to attract the participation of independent power producers.

Meanwhile, municipalities who will soon be hiking their tariffs should brace themselves for more defaulters, people who cannot pay for the electricity they need. Electricity theft is likely to increase and some people will risk electrocution during these illegal activities.

Furthermore, people could lose their jobs as businesses struggle to survive. This is not a good picture, but it is the reality of our situation. It becomes even bleaker when one adds the recent increases in the price of fuels like petrol and diesel and the likelihood that there could be more increases next month.

To add insult to injury, however, the ANC must be rubbing its hands in glee as it seems poised to benefit from the hardship of the people it claims to care about. [Interjections.] Chancellor House, the ANC's investment vehicle through its shareholding in Hitachi Power Africa, stands to reap millions of rand in windfall profits from the deal with Eskom. What is even more depressing is that some leaders in the ANC don't seem to appreciate the negative implications of this blatant conflict of interest. The deal may be legal, but it sure is immoral and odious. [Applause.] The deal is wrong for South Africa.

The ANC treasurer Matthews Phosa is right that exiting the deal is a shareholder issue and that it is about what is ethically correct. As Mr Phosa explains – and I quote him, I quote Mr Phosa here:

The ANC is the ruling party. It must set standards and be subject to governance like anybody else. It can't be above the rules of good governance. It can't make rules and say the rules apply to others; they do not apply to us.

I again urge the ANC to get out of its stake in Hitachi and to desist from doing business with any government entity as a matter of course. This sort of shady dealing only reinforces the growing perception that this country is fast becoming a banana republic.

Due to the seriousness and the urgency of this matter, the DA will submit a Private Member's Bill to Parliament to make it illegal for political parties to tender and contract with government at any level.

Access to energy is central to the creation of opportunities for all South Africans. In this regard, the Ministry of Energy has the very important role of protecting the interests of the country on all energy-related matters, such as the ones referred to above. It is for this reason that the DA welcomes the establishment of a stand-alone Department of Energy under the hon Minister Dipuo Peters. The department has its work cut out for it. The challenges are huge but not insurmountable. The Minister has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a government department from the ground up and to get things right the first time.

Recent experience has taught us that cadre deployment ANC-style leads to failure through lack of delivery and corruption at great cost to the country. Staff should be employed on their fitness for purpose, their skills and competences and their willingness to serve. These are some of the hallmarks of an open-opportunity society for all.


The Minister and senior staff have committed to this approach. We will hold them to it. The Department of Energy cannot afford any failures, particularly during this year of the Soccer World Cup when we must keep the lights on for the rest of the world to see us in our best light.

This leads me to the department's budget. The Minister has also referred to it. In simple terms, the department's maiden budget is more than a stretch. It is a tight baseline to set as the numbers indicate that the department needs much more to be fully funded. This is a serious cause for concern.

It is, however, commendable that the senior staff in the department have committed to doing more with less to make the budget work. This is the right attitude, but the work must be seen to be done and they will have to work hard to inspire their subordinates.

Lack of proper planning and poor decision-making have been fingered as the major causes for the country's recent electricity supply problems. The DA therefore welcomes the R20 million budgeted for a National Integrated Energy Modelling System. We need to plan appropriately for energy security, sustainability and efficiency by taking guesswork out of the equation.

In this regard, we look forward to interaction with the electricity Integrated Resource Plan 2 that has been referred to. It is encouraging to know that the process to unveil the plan is being speeded up.

There is also R36 million that has been set aside for renewable energy, and we've been hearing a bit about it and it is clearly inadequate. The government has set a target for 10 000 Gigawatt hours of electricity from renewable sources by 2013. As matters stand, it seems very unlikely that this goal will be achieved. We need to move quickly if we are to meet even half of the target. While the department's goal to commission 400 Megawatts of wind power in the next three years through the involvement of independent power producers is welcomed, it needs to do much more in this regard and the participation of IPPs must be incentivised and fast-tracked.

The DA welcomes the announcement that an independent buying office will be established and that while it will initially be located at Eskom, it will, as soon as possible, move out. This is necessary to remove the Eskom stranglehold on the sector and facilitate IPP participation. The relevant Bill for the independent system and marketing operator is being considered by Cabinet. We urge that the decision-making process be speeded up, Minister.

There is R328 million set aside for demand-side management. This will go a long way towards electricity savings, but we are concerned that the target to install one million solar water heaters in households by 2014 seems unreachable. Thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]

ag(Eng)//ARM(Sep)

END OF TAKE

Mr P D DEXTER


Mr S C MOTAU

Mr P D DEXTER: Madam Chair, Minister of Energy, chair of the portfolio committee, hon members, ladies and gentlemen, like you, Chair, I invited my family but I got the time wrong. They were here but they've gone home now. [Laughter.] I was interested when you said you've got all girls because I've got two boys and so maybe we should talk. [Laughter.] Anyway, my wife and my children are now watching from home, so I say hello to them there.

It is an honour for me to address this committee again on this important budget debate. But I must say that I do so with a real sense of deep concern, because while our committee, I think, has done a decent job over the past of almost one year of delving into the details of the portfolio and really asking tough questions, I feel that the same cannot be said for the department, Minister.

Despite much of the positives which colleagues have already mentioned, I think we are in a situation that really makes one concerned for the future, because the department and the institutions associated with it have been very slow to acknowledge the fact that we are in a crisis in relation to energy. One doesn't get the feeling from them that they understand the sense of urgency. I know, Minister, that not all of this can be placed at your feet because you've only been Minister for a year, but, as they say, it is your lot in life and it is something that I think you are going to have to focus on.

The reality that we must accept as citizens, Minister, is that despite all the consequences that we have seen of the crisis in this sector and despite all the emergencies that we have experienced, whether it is the blackouts or the astronomical price increases, our country still does not have a coherent and focused strategy to ensure that there is cleaner, more affordable and sustainable energy in the near future and that it is provided equitably to the people in this population. This is despite our abundant natural resources. We are blessed as a country with coal, gas, uranium, sunlight, water and wind. If there is one place in the world where energy should be cheap, it should be this country. When you look at the region, it is even more so the case - when you look at the hydro possibilities in neighbouring countries.

There are a number of reasons for this malaise, but the primary problem that everything stems from is that the government has failed to transform the inefficiencies and the outdated philosophy of energy production and distribution that was inherited from the apartheid regime.

As the result, we have Eskom that still lumbers on producing energy in a fashion that is wasteful and expensive environmentally. This type of wastefulness that we observe is compounded, I believe, by a lack of any sense of responsibility or accountability in the ruling party. The Chancellor House debacle, as an example, graphically illustrates this, because the idea that the ruling party should benefit financially at the expense of taxpayers, especially given all the misery and price increases that we have had to bear through the stake in Hitachi, is shocking. It's nothing short of shocking.

What is even more shocking is that sections of the ruling party seem to think that this is okay. You make jokes about it. You think it is okay. What really should have been a simple issue of this country going to get a loan for development, for the needs of the people, has turned into an outright scandal and it has made us look as if our country is thoroughly corrupt.

I believe, Minister, that it is imperative that you make a statement on this matter so that the public can judge whether or not your party is looking after its own interests and bank balance, or the interests of the taxpayers and the consumers. You cannot stop the tenderpreneurs if your own organisation is the biggest tenderpreneur. [Applause.]

Despite government setting up things like the Electricity Distribution Industry, the EDI, and so on, Eskom still controls most of the production, distribution and retail supply of electricity. Despite spending billions of rand on the pebble bed modular reactor, we have now canned that as a project. And despite all the public-consultation processes, the reality is that we as consumers still have to just suck up all this inefficiency and poor service. This lack of performance leaves a really bitter aftertaste, given the potential of our country.

The transformation of this sector can only truly begin if the government changes its perspective on energy. Instead of regarding the sector as a service and delivering it reluctantly, government must start to see the energy sector as a dynamic new opportunity for driving growth, sustainable industrialisation, research, development and innovation.

Importantly, government must recognise the strategic nature of the sector. I am afraid that too much of the old "poskantoor" attitude lingers on in the energy sector. What we need to drive this out is a bold vision for the 21st century and, I think, Minister, that that is what the public is looking forward to.

I must say, in conclusion, Minister, that despite all these negative things, we in Cope truly believe that there is a possibility of a partnership between government, consumers and the private sector to ensure that we do what is necessary to change the nature of the sector. The benefits and advantages of that, Minister, is that we can turn the sector into a massive job-creating opportunity for real jobs, not job opportunities that we see in the Public Works programmes, but real jobs with artisans, scientists and so on being placed in the sector. But for that to happen, Minister, we need a state that thinks like it is in the 21st century.

We really believe that that's a challenge that you have to live up to, Minister. Of course, we in Cope will do everything we can to support you. But, as we have shown, we are not going to sit idly by when there is a lack of performance and a lack of accountability. We need you to take care of those negative issues, Minister. If you do, you can be assured of our support. Thank you very much. [Applause.]

Mr E J LUCAS


Mr P D DEXTER

Mr E J LUCAS: Hon Chairperson, long gone are the days of cheap, available and bounteous energy resources. Decisions must be taken as a matter of urgency to develop the technology and infrastructure necessary to transition to alternative energy sources. We need to embrace the new future of energy, a future that does not rely solely on finite scarce resources.

In this vein, the IFP believes that the department should make a substantial investment into the research and development of clean alternative energy production. Our current reality dictates that coal will be used in order to meet the necessary energy demands required in our country. In the short term, we have no other viable alternative.

We are therefore duty-bound to investigate the most environmentally friendly manner in which we convert our coal supplies to energy. I am pleased that you, Minister, have mentioned this in your speech because it is important to be an environmentally friendly country.

Regarding alternative energy-production methods such as the nuclear path, the department should embark on educational programmes, which allay public fears regarding its production, containment and waste disposal as this is one of the viable alternatives for South Africa in the future.

We expended large amounts of money in research and development on the pebble bed modular reactor programme. This programme has been brought to an abrupt halt. What about the time and money spent by Necsa, the SA Nuclear Energy Corporation, up to this point? We need to make decisions on energy production systems and, once taken, follow them through to completion. Failure to do so can result in third parties buying our developments and ideas and then reselling them back to us at greater prices in the future when we deem them fashionable once again.

We also task the department with not paying mere lip service to wind, solar and water energy as possible future methods in the production of this country's energy requirements. Clean energy should be our ultimate goal and it should be pursued intensely with something a little more substantial than 7% of the budget.

The current cost of electricity is nothing short of ludicrous. It impacts negatively on our entire society in that it not only is a direct burden on our citizens in that they pay more for household electricity, but that it also has the indirect effect of pushing up the prices of goods and services within the country, which ultimately the consumer has to pay for once again. It is problematic that we are able to import electricity far more cheaply from our neighbour Mozambique.

Likewise, the cost of fuel, which also appears to be on the increase, will have a severe impact on the lives of the poorest members of our society, driving them deeper into the depths of poverty.

Whilst we do understand that the price of crude oil is determined beyond our borders, we also believe that the department can still do something to protect end users. Internal fuel levies and taxes can and should be adjusted in order to protect the ordinary man in the street from steep price hikes.

On the more positive side of things, we commend the decision to establish a separate department, which will enable greater attention to be focused on energy supply. This is a step in the right direction and the IFP feels that more such initiatives should be identified and undertaken.

Minister, we are currently in an energy crisis of massive proportions and uncertain times may call for unconventional measures, so explore alternatives and go out on a limb. There is a viable solution out there. We must also accelerate the solar-water heating project. It is long overdue. The IFP will be keeping a watchful eye on all developments. We support the Vote. I thank you. [Applause.]

VM/

END OF TAKE

Ms L N MOSS


Mr E J LUCAS

Ms L N MOSS: Chairperson, hon Minister and members of the House, it is my privilege to share the following with you.

Afrikaans:

Die ANC, as regerende party, het met sy 8 Januarie verklaring die volgende strategiese ontwikkelingsdoelwitte geïdentifiseer.

English:

These goals are: speeding up of growth, and creating more jobs, decent work and sustainable livelihoods; rural development and land reform; education; health; combating crime and corruption; and social transformation.

Afrikaans:

Om al hierdie doelwitte te bereik, het ons 'n effektiewe en volhoubare energiesektor nodig. Daarom is die strategiese plan van Energie in lyn met die regering se Medium-Termyn Strategiese Raamwerk wat die wye uitdagings van 'n gemengde energiesektor vir ons land belig.

Die sektor wil energiesekerheid verseker deur verskeidenheid, die versekering van energie alternatiewe, 'n groen ekonomie en die skep van werksgeleenthede. Ons wil energie verseker deur die promosie van volhoubare gebruik van energiebronne, deur die stadig weg beweeg vanaf fossielbrandstof, deur die bekendstelling van tweede generasie kernkragstasies en deur voordeel te trek uit natuurlike bronne soos sonlig en sterk winde.

English:

The sector would like to implement wind, solar, hydro, biomass and biogas energy. These projects will contribute to the sustainable developmental goals because of their low carbon footprint. The off-grid electricity programme will connect another 10 000 households, utilising solar home systems.

Afrikaans:

Hierdie tipe energie sal energie opwerk om beligting te veskaf en 'n paar elektriese toestelle te koppel.

Die Nuclear Energy Agency, NEA, was gestig met die doelwit om 'n nasionale veldtog te voer met die klem op energiebesparing in alle sektore van die ekonomie.

Die energiebesparingsprogram sluit aktiwiteite in soos die uitrol van kompakte ligte, subsidiëring van solarwaterverwarmers, promosie van skoon ontwikkelling, brandstofomskakeling, verkeersligte en publieke beligting. Dit is aksies om weg te beweeg van 'n steenkool gebasseerde ekonomie.

Dit is bemoedigend om te sien dat hierdie tipe alternatiewe projekte reeds geskied en beplan word in die Wes-Kaap, Oos-Kaap en Noord-Kaap. Daarom sê die ANC om saam te werk, kan ons meer doen.

Die Saldanhabaai Munisipaliteit ondersoek reeds die vestiging van 'n groen industrial development zone, IDZ, waar nywerhede wat wil investeer in die gebied, gebruik moet maak van groen energie soos die son- en windkrag.

Hierdie tipe aksies moet definitief deur die regering ondersteun word en kan as volhoubaar bewys word. Dit kan ons vorentoe laat beweeg.

Ek wil reageer op 'n paar dinge. Hulle sê in die Woord: Moenie oordeel nie, sodat jy nie geoordeel word nie. Moenie die splint in 'n ander een se oog sien nie en jy sien dit nie in jou eie oog nie. Wat ek hiermee bedoel is dat die oppossisie baie kan kritiseer, maar dit is nie opbouende kritiek nie. Die is afbrekend.

In die verlede het baie van julle op rade gedien, selfs op meer as 20. Julle het dit nie eers openbaar nie. Die ANC is 'n deursigtige party en daarom word die klippe so gegooi. [Tussenwerpsels.]

Daar is 'n ander punt wat ek wil lig. Hulle sê altyd dat mens eers in jou eie huis moet kyk, voordat jy na buite kyk. Hier waar ek bly in die Wes-Kaap, het ons met goeie, vaardige mense gesit in die provinsiale wetgewing, wat die trekpas gegee is deur die DA. Daardie persoon was Shanaaz. [Tussenwerpsels.]

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr K O Bapela): Order, please! Order! Give her a hearing please. Even if you don't agree with her, give her a hearing.

Me L N MOSS: Ons het baie goeie administrasie in hierdie provinsie gehad. [Tussenwerpsels.] Hulle sê altyd mos as die nuwe besem inkom, wil hy kom skoonvee. Ek wil sê dat die ou besem klaar die fondasie gelê het.

English:

The ANC supports the budget. Thank you. [Applause.]

Mrs E THABETHE: Chairperson, on a point of order: I am not Afrikaans-speaking but I think the word "mal" means that you are not right upstairs. It means that you are mad. In terms of parliamentary procedures, is it parliamentary for the hon Lee to say that the hon member Moss is "mal"; "sy's nie reg nie" [mad; she's not okay]? Although I am not Afrikaans-speaking, I think it is not parliamentary.

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr K O Bapela): Order! Hon Lee, I want to ask you whether you said such words. Just be honest with yourself and everybody. [Laughter.] [Interjections.] We don't want to have to consult Hansard. Just tell us.

Afrikaans:

Mnr T D LEE: Voortsitter, ek is 'n baie eerlike persoon. Ek het nooit die word "mal" gebruik nie.

Die VOORSITTER (Mnr K O Bapela): Het jy nie so gesê nie?

English:

Mr T D LEE: I did not say that, Chairperson.

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr K O Bapela): He says that he didn't say it, hon member. Otherwise, this will mean having to consult Hansard. Is it really necessary for us to go that route? I don't think it is necessary. Let us just leave it. Let sleeping dogs lie. We will check it next time.

src

END OF TAKE

Mr L W GREYLING


Ms L N MOSS

Mr P D DEXTER: Chairperson, on a point of order: I respectfully request that you don't refer to us as dogs. [Laughter.]

Mr L W GREYLING: Chairperson, hon Minister, the ID firmly believes that one of the biggest single determinants of our country's future success lies in the choices that we make around energy. This department clearly has a critical role to play in these choices. It is disappointing to the ID that it continues to suffer from a major lack of capacity, both in terms of human and financial resources.

It is unacceptable that the budget for setting up modelling capacity in this department was only given in this financial year and that, as a result, we will have to wait at least another year before a proper integrated energy plan for the country is produced.

This integrated energy plan should have been the blueprint for all of our energy decisions where the different generation technologies are modelled and their costs and benefits to the economy and the environment are clearly spelt out. Instead we have hastily drawn-up Integrated Resource Plans, IRPs, that merely rubber stamp the plans put forward by Eskom.

We need a new approach to energy in this country, one that is prepared to look beyond the straitjacket of coal and nuclear power. The ID therefore hopes that the current IRP process will be a far more consultative one that would truly expand the realm of potentialities when it comes to our energy future.

The future, however, cannot be built on rhetoric, and we need to unlock the barriers that are preventing independent power producers, IPPs, and generators of renewable energy from entering the market. The standardised power purchase agreement, for instance, needs to be finalised urgently by this department so that IPPs can use it to raise the necessary finance.

We have the potential to create a huge renewable energy industry in South Africa, but in order to achieve this, we have to set far bolder targets for both wind energy and concentrated solar power than those currently contained in the existing IRP if we want to kick-start these burgeoning industries. We should also look at increasing these targets if we find that they are massively oversubscribed. The department also needs to clarify what selection criteria will govern its allocations of these targets, as the process is currently open to massive abuse.

On this last point, Minister, the ID also contends that we have to remove the vested interests in energy that are preventing us from making choices that are to the entire country's benefit. The current conflict of interest that exists through the ANC's shareholding in Hitachi Power Africa is locking us into a coal based future. The boiler contracts for the Kusile coal-fired plant, which the ANC will benefit from, have already been concluded, thereby making it difficult for us to now abandon that project, even if it is not in our country's interest to pursue that energy path.

I believe, Minister, that it is not unpatriotic to expose a glaring conflict of interest. It is instead unpatriotic not to do anything about it. I therefore hope the ANC will finally do the right thing and remove its vested interest from a coal-based future. I thank you. [Applause.]

Mrs C DUDLEY


Mr L W GREYLING

Mrs C DUDLEY: Chair, Minister, as winter approaches and with thousands of visitors expected to enter the country for the World Cup, the situation with regard to energy usage in South Africa is of considerable concern. We could, in fact, be looking at regular energy cuts once again on top of our excessive energy bills, as Eskom reserves run dangerously low.

Eskom was granted the increases requested from the National Energy Regulator of SA, Nersa, although their submission maintained that the power mix in the country should be based on an updated integrated resource plan, which we currently do not have. A revised White Paper on renewable energy is also only now being drafted, and this delay has resulted in no more than 5% of the target of 10 000 Gigawatt hours of energy from renewable sources by 2010 being generated.

Based on the costing of alternative energies in the Renewable Energy Feed-In Tariff, Refit, guidelines and on the amount of alternative energy that could be easily installed in the near future, certainly within the same timeframe as a new power station could be built, 4 800 Megawatts of renewable energy could be substituted. It could comprise a mixture of co-generation, wind, concentrated solar power, landfill gas and small-scale hydro at a cost of an additional R1 per Kilowatt hour to the consumer. Eskom's approved increase of 25% will increase costs far more than this and the costs of renewable technologies will decrease over time, while the costs of coal power will increase.

The ACDP understands the use of electricity fees to fund capacity installation at Medupi as a questionable use of taxpayers' money. The increase effectively takes the R335 billion over three years from the energy consumers of South Africa without anyone knowing how Eskom calculates its current electricity price and exactly what the money will be spent on in the future. The ACDP calls on the Minister to demand clarity from Eskom on its past, present and future energy costing so that intelligent energy modelling can be done for South Africa in future.

Currently there is no country energy plan that will decide the way in which Eskom's money is used and, despite President Zuma's commitment to green jobs in his opening address to Parliament, there is no insistence on a certain amount going towards a renewable energy programme.

This amount – the R335 billion - is a top-up on the R282 billion that is budgeted through the infrastructure investment programme. It is equivalent to 11% of the country's total budgetary expenditure for the next three years and is more than the current R165 billion for education. Municipalities will receive R55 billion. So, if only half of the R335 billion were budgeted for municipal energy infrastructure development, a decentralised energy industry could be established providing green jobs, relieving the burden on Eskom, cleaning the environment and encouraging massive investment in the country.

The delay with renewable energy is hard to understand. The refit phases one and two were drafted in 2009. Thank you. [Time expired.]

Mrs M N MATLADI


Mrs C DUDLEY

Mrs M N MATLADI: Hon Chairperson, it has been drummed into our heads that South Africa has an energy crisis and, of course, many of us have experienced it first-hand. What is an energy crisis? In laymen's terms a situation reaches a stage of being a crisis when it was ignored at a stage when it could still have been called a problem. Is that what we did? Did we ignore an obvious problem and land ourselves in a crisis; and whom do we hold responsible for it?

Wikipedia defines an energy crisis as any bottleneck or price rise in the supply of energy resources to an economy. Its causes may be overconsumption, ageing infrastructure, choke-point disruption or bottlenecks at oil refineries. An emergency may emerge during unusually cold winters due to the increased consumption of energy. The South African electricity crisis in 2008 led to large price rises in platinum and reduced gold production, which resulted in hundreds of thousands of job losses - and that is obviously a crisis.

Former President Thabo Mbeki apologised for the load shedding in what could otherwise be interpreted as government taking responsibility for the failures of a state-owned enterprise, namely Eskom. The puzzling question is: Why must ordinary citizens, who have obviously been wronged in this process, pay for Eskom's failures? Why the 36% price hike in the coming three years? Eskom has been widely criticised for failing to adequately maintain existing power stations or plan for and construct sufficient electricity-generating capacity. How that criticism has translated to consumers being charged the extra 36% eludes us.

The views of Ompi Aphane from the energy department, who was a panellist on the debate entitled "South Africa's optimal energy mix", are interesting in that he alluded to new legislation coming to Parliament to introduce a separate parastatal on renewable energy. Could we really be looking at creating another parastatal when the current entity's problems are far from being resolved?

Energy is truly a crisis in South Africa. As I conclude my speech in this debate, I would like to say on behalf of the UCDP that the real crisis is the fact that 24% of South African citizens do not have access to electricity or any other form of energy. We support the Vote. I thank you. [Time expired.]

np

END OF TAKE

Mrs N F MATHIBELA


Mrs M N MATLADI

Mrs N F MATHIBELA: Hon Chairperson, hon Minister of Energy Dipou Peters, hon members, before I get to my speech, I would like to ask the hon Dudley and the hon Matladi to please come and contribute to the portfolio committee. I think they will give a lot of inputs there which will be fruitful.

The ANC supports the budget. It is imperative to acknowledge that the ANC-led government deracialised access to energy. Currently, almost 80% of households are connected to the electricity grid. The ANC-led government should be applauded for this achievement. [Applause.]

In the same breath, it is opportune to debunk a view that is currently predominant in societal thought when it comes to access to energy: For our communities access to energy is defined only in terms of being connected to the electricity grid. Our communities need to be educated about other energy sources.

I would like to go back to 1993, when we first got electricity in Tafelkop, in Nebo, Limpopo. When the first globe lit up, everybody was happy. There was much jubilation, ululating and singing. But, even though they did all those nice things then, some of them, to date, still have no electricity in their homes. I hope that the Minister will make sure that they get connected.

Regarding addressing energy poverty and ensuring access to different energy sources for our communities, the introduction of integrated energy centres, IECs, is critical in providing different energy sources to far-flung rural communities. As legislators, we are of the view that the department and private players should intensify this programme. It will assist in ensuring that households across the country embrace other sources of energy for household consumption.

It is now opportune for South Africans to begin to embrace the utilisation of alternative energy sources. However, the Department of Energy needs to come up with a clear plan on how they intend to introduce alternative energy sources to households.

Furthermore, the utilisation of liquefied petroleum gas, LPG, should be promoted intensely for household usage. This is intended to encourage household energy diversification and contribute to the utilisation of cleaner, healthier and safer energy sources.

The disadvantage of LPG is that it is very expensive for poor households. We urge the department to fast-track the adoption of LPG regulations.

Energy affordability continues to be of concern to millions of South Africans. The recent hikes in electricity tariffs have made a lot of South Africans uneasy. We urge the department to massify access to solar water heaters in order to ease the burden of electricity costs on household budgets.

The energy sector is a critical vehicle in ensuring that the growth trajectory we have set for ourselves is achievable. It is also critical to the betterment of the lives of poor South Africans. As the ANC we pride ourselves on the fact that our energy production paradigm has always embraced the utilisation of clean energy sources.

To achieve social justice, the Polokwane conference asked for, among other things, government to be directly involved in the creation of decent jobs, and an expanded role for the Public Works Programme. We must acknowledge that poverty and unemployment remain prominent realities in South Africa. Allocations should be increased in terms of the Integrated National Electrification Programme, the INEP, in order to address these challenges. We are very concerned that the funds allocated to the INEP are inadequate and that the department will fall short of achieving universal access by 2014.

Non-grid technologies like solar should be integrated into the INEP as complementary supply technologies to grid extensions. The energy White Paper provides for the implementation of non-grid electricity generation technologies in the electrification programme for areas remote from the existing national grid.

The government provides free basic electricity – 50 Kilowatt hours. This programme has assisted a great deal in ensuring access to electricity for many poor households. We would like to call on the ANC-led government to increase that to 100 Kilowatt hours per month. This amount of energy will be sufficient to provide basic lighting, basic media access, basic water heating using a kettle, and basic ironing.

In terms of grid electricity and basic lighting, access to basic energy and other basic resources have a significant role to play in enhancing the wellbeing of consumers and building sustainable communities. I thank you. [Applause.]

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr K O Bapela): Thank you, hon member. We now call the hon Ross. Mr Ross is making his maiden speech, so please give him a hearing. [Applause.]

nvs//

END OF TAKE

Mr D C ROSS


Mrs N F MATHIBELA

Mr D C ROSS: Thank you, Chair, and thanks for mentioning that I am making my maiden speech. I appreciate that. Hon Minister of Energy, hon members, ladies and gentlemen, we are confronted with the challenge of transforming the South African economy from being carbon-intensive and reliant on coal to being one of the most carbon-neutral economies in the world. This daunting task confronts our government today which has contributed to the energy crisis, as was discussed today, by doing too little, too late.

The unintended victims of our current energy crisis now appear to be the countless members of the public who will have to foot the bill on tariff increases of 25% a year over a period of three years. These tariff increases granted by the National Energy Regulator of SA, Nersa, in adjudication of the Eskom application translate into an effective increase of at least 35,8% for residential consumers who use more than 600 Kilowatt hours per month - 35,8% is quite a lot.

On the apportionment of tariffs, the assertion can now be made that the cross-subsidy to the poor and to big industries is selectively burdening a narrow band of residential consumers. This narrow band of residential consumers includes our hard-working middle class – and this is black and white citizens of our country – and our hard-working state officials. Given the effects on the poor, the middle class and small business - and I think my colleague has alluded to the fact – the DA has asked Nersa for a revision of the tariffs.

I am glad to report to the hon Minister - and, I think, this was at Milnerton - indicated her concern with regard to the effect of the recent tariff increases, especially on the hard-working citizens of our country. Today we have spoken about the inclining block tariffs and the appeal to municipalities, and we hope these are measures that could help.

Chairperson, the DA discussed the criteria of affordability with Nersa and our concerns were raised that the public simply cannot afford these tariffs. The bottom line is – and I think that is reality – that you can only pay for what you can afford. Fortunately, we spoke in our portfolio committee about liquefied petroleum gas today, and we hope that that will bring some solutions.

We have to note that there is a perception among electricity consumers that Nersa simply does Eskom's bidding when tariff increases are levied. We appeal therefore today to Nersa to be rigorous and accountable so as to ensure that the adjudication of tariffs carries the expected weight.

Minister, Eskom also needs to shed more light on its special pricing agreements, the so-called SPAs. Nersa's response indicated they were fully privy to the information but nowhere in the Eskom application to Nersa in regard to the tariff increases did we find any reference to the effect of the two Billiton Group contracts.

The effects of the two Billiton Group contracts are closely related to the tariff increases, given the percentage of electricity that they use, of course, and as indicated in the Media24 court application. But today we are still left in the dark as to the allegation that generation costs actually exceed the tariffs paid for electricity by the aluminium smelters. The question then comes to mind: Who is subsidising these costs?

The possible renegotiation of the Eskom-Billiton contracts could have a significant impact on the generating costs of Eskom. In this regard, we expect Eskom to keep a tight rein on their production costs by improving significantly in their management efficiency. We urge the new Department of Energy to encourage reasonable and affordable tariffs for the consumers of South Africa.

Then, briefly, on the issue of biofuels, we think that action needs to be taken to ensure that South Africa benefits along the full value chain of bio-energy supply and utilisation. The successful tapping of all possible energy carriers is vital for sustainable economic growth and development. Fortunately, the Industrial Policy Action Plan on biofuels indicates that the debates have tended to focus on the food security versus the fuel security arguments, whilst the focus should be on utilising the full potential to create biofuels using the current maize crop surpluses of three to four million tons per year. We discussed this this morning at committee level. That is the excess crop that we have.

Afrikaans:

Voorsitter, dit is die jaarlikse oorskotmielies wat verwerk kan word om die energiekrisis effektief aan te spreek, en het ons in vooruitsig dat ons 'n vergadering met Graan Suid-Afrika sal hê as die gaste van SA Graan in Bothaville, in die omgewing waar ek woon.

English:

The biofuel sector has the potential to create a substantial number of labour-intensive jobs in agriculture and to meet South Africa's renewable energy targets, and we all know that is 30% by 2013. It is encouraging that government has committed to a 2% blend target for biofuel's inclusion into the national fuel supply. Were South Africa to increase its blending target to 10%, some 125 000 direct jobs could be created. I appeal to the Department of Energy and the Portfolio Committee on Energy that the production of ethanol through maize be considered.

Hon Minister, on a positive note, I think it is 51 days to the Fifa 2010 World Cup, and I think my chairperson has alluded to the fact that everything seems to be intact and, rightly so, our streets and our cities are abuzz with excitement. We expect 500 000 visitors to our country. Five hundred thousand!

The rush on peak time electricity and the anticipated winter seasonal peak demand should be noted. Eskom could need an extra 2 000 Megawatts of electricity over the six-week period of the World Cup, and we have been quite concerned about the interruptible agreements that they have with big consumers. We did ask those questions as we went all over the country to visit our beautiful state-of-the-art stadiums.

Reports from Eskom indicate, however – this is the good news, and I agree with the Chairperson – that it was considered highly unlikely that Eskom would have to enact load-shedding schedules, although I am a bit concerned about Johannesburg. I think there were three power failures: two last night and one today. Current load forecasts should safely allow Eskom a reserve margin of greater than 15% during the World Cup period. No scheduled maintenance is planned for the period by Eskom, and the electricity availability factor should be optimal.

Chairperson, I have to conclude. We have to apply our minds to South Africa's energy security. We have to apply our minds with regard to South Africa's renewable energy targets, and that is a very important one. We trust that the new Department of Energy will stand up to the huge challenge of making the Energy department an effective and functional department. I thank you. [Applause.]

/Robyn/

END OF TAKE

Mr G J SELAU


Mr D C ROSS

Mr G J SELAU: Chairperson, we are living in an era in which energy is a global challenge, in which electricity demand outstrips supply, a period in which together we must participate in finding solutions to the current energy challenges, and not crisis.

I've been asked to focus on the diversification of household energy sources through increased the utilisation of renewable energy. These energy sources include solar, hydro, biofuels and wind.

It must be noted that the renewable energy sources mentioned herein are very good power supply options, but that they have their own challenges, such as irregular wind speed; solar power variations, for example the differences between daytime and night-time, and summer and winter; issues of capacity; capital cost; maintenance; the whole debate on biofuel production versus food security; the shortage of water versus hydropower production; etc. There are all these kinds of challenges, but nevertheless they are very good power supply options.

The process of the diversification of energy sources through increased utilisation of renewable energy is linked to the current use of nonrenewable energy, and the best bet in urban areas is to have more solar energy in households.

The department's plan to deploy solar water heating in residential dwellings, that is approximately 6 million households, must be supported in that not only is it addressing the capital cost challenge, but it also mitigates effectively the challenge of greenhouse gas emissions in South Africa. It also promotes energy savings on the grid in that when the solar heating system is in use, coal-power electricity is relieved. Remember, 40% of household electricity is consumed by electric geysers.

President Zuma, in his opening address in Parliament this year, said: "To ensure a reliable power supply we have established an interministerial committee on energy to develop a 20-year integrated resource plan." By this the President meant that we will gradually introduce renewable energy so as to move away from coal-fired power stations. As we speak, the department has an obligation for there to be 10 000 Gigawatts per hour by 2013.

The rural and remote areas cannot be undermined. A study by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the CSIR, in collaboration with the Cape Peninsula University of Technology revealed that the solar photovoltaic system together with a diesel generator and battery in a stand-alone capacity could be used effectively with both the solar system and the diesel generator alternating over a cycle of 24 hours per day. In other words, in this instance you could have your solar system operating from, say, six o'clock in the morning until eight o'clock at night and have your generator take over not only to supply energy but also to charge the battery overnight. The remaining currency gets pumped into the solar system so that starting is not difficult.

This needs to be piloted by our department for use in our rural areas to which the current grid does not extend. This is no joke, my friend. You are laughing because you are sitting here and not in the rural areas.

The ANC Polokwane conference resolved that government should accelerate the roll-out of rural infrastructure particularly roads and other services including potable water, electricity and irrigation. As with all my colleagues who have spoken on this budget before me, I also wish to support the Minister and the Department of Energy in their endeavours to make the lives of South Africans better and we wish them the best in their vision to deliver these programmes.

At this stage, I would also like to take the opportunity to talk about opposition politics in order to remind people that on 22 April last year we held the elections. The elections produced this product that we see in this House. [Interjections.] After the elections we found a budget from the third Parliament which already existed. It is naive of people to make all the kinds of remarks to a Minister that they did when he is presenting the budget for his new department for the first time. [Interjections.] All the kinds of things that were said to our Minister here. It's true that as she is a lady you should have respected her for that reason. [Interjections.]

It is also equally important that people understand the difference between challenges and crisis. This South Africa, in terms of the Freedom Charter, belongs to all of us. If that is the case - if there was an electricity crisis - that crisis affects all of us and all of us together have to find solutions. We are sitting in this environment here because there is no crisis, and in which people continue trying to lie to the nation that there is a crisis and that the crisis must be deepened against the ANC. False! [Interjections.]

I wish to say further that it is important to note that the Minister will be responding to all of us – one after the other - but that people must attend meetings in order to be able to come to the House to reflect on what has been discussed in the meetings. I thank Mr Ross a great deal for having done exactly that this afternoon. [Applause.] He said to this House that we had been at a committee meeting, that we had discussed this matter and that this was what we had agreed upon. I agree with everything he said because it is true.

But I deplore a person who attends a meeting, comes out of the meeting and goes to the House and begins to attack you as if he only sees you from a distance; he never engages with you anywhere else.

In conclusion, I support the budget as much as all my colleagues have done, including my colleagues in the opposition parties. However, I hope they will discuss the issues in their caucuses that I raised, and then come back to us when next we meet in the committee to try to develop a common approach in the solutions to the challenges of this country and not be in opposition when opposition is not needed. [Applause.]

NS

END OF TAKE

The MINISTER OF ENERGY


Mr G J SELAU

The MINISTER OF ENERGY: Chairperson, owing to time constraints, I request that I be allowed to conclude the little piece of the speech that I'm left with. You'd remember that we were speaking about the issue of the indaba. Preliminary indications are that with regard to gender and procurement aspects of the Liquid Fuels Charter, we are not performing as we anticipated and the indaba will afford us the opportunity for industry stakeholders to deal with these challenges, in particular to allow for our people to participate in liquid fuels procurement.

With regard to the 2010 Fifa World Cup, the department, together with role-players in the liquid fuels sector - within the exemption granted by the Competition Commission - has been able to plan for the anticipated increase in demand during the event of 2010 for liquid fuels, in particular jet fuels at the airports. In addition, all stadia will be running on diesel generators for electricity supply during the period of the tournament. It's all systems go for a successful African Soccer World Cup.

I just want to say, Madam Chairperson, in relation to the issues you raised about how ready we are for 2010 and the importance of making sure that we keep the lights on, the jets in the air and cars on the road, that somebody would need to bewitch us for things to go wrong. But I want to say to all of us, God is always on our side and nothing will go wrong with God on our side. [Applause.] We have always believed that 2010 is the year that God created for South Africa and it is up to South Africans to make sure that we don't disappoint God.

Again, Madam Chairperson, in relation to the many issues that were raised by members, you would know that in the workshops that you had convened for the portfolio committee ...

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M N Oliphant): Hon Minister, order please. Hon members, the Minister is responding to some of the issues that were raised by you. If you don't want the Minister to respond, just say so so that we can adjourn, but if you want the Minister to respond, give her an ear. You may continue, hon Minister. Hon member, could you please ...

IsiZulu:

... vala umlomo wakho, qhubeka Ngqongqoshe ohloniphekile.

English:

The MINISTER OF ENERGY: In relation to issues of being sensitive to climate change, I want to indicate that we are committed to making sure that we meet our target as laid out in our long-term mitigation scenarios, and this is to make sure that we reduce our emissions by at least 42% by 2025. We are committed to that. We all know that the challenges that we are facing today in relation to climate change are actually the sins of our great, great grandfathers being carried out on us, because if you remember, we are actually bearing the brunt of 150 years of development in the developed countries and we, as the developing countries, have to slow down our development so as to ensure that we are not as irresponsible as those developed countries whose sins we are paying for today.

South Africa has abundant coal resources and reserves and there is no way that we can say to the 24% of the rural people, hon Matladi, that don't have access to electricity that we will not provide them with electricity whilst we have coal reserves. What we are doing, as a responsible government, is to make sure that our people in the science and technology environment, as you indicated - the work that is being done through the CSIR and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology - are looking at how to make this coal clean so as to be able to continue using it. [Applause.]

You've seen recently with the accidents happening in the United States that it is still more than 51% reliant on coal. The fact that there could be an accident in which a number of coal workers died is an indication that they are still mining coal, despite the fact that they didn't want to support us with the World Bank loan primarily because they said that we were going to continue using coal. That is an indication ...

Setswana:

... ya gore, maaka a maoto makhutshwane.

English:

Lie to the world and, God – and, as I said, 2010 is the year God created for South Africa - proved the day before the decision on the loan was taken that the very same people and countries against us using coal were still using it by exposing them. [Applause.]

People say we have a crisis. Yes, we have a crisis, and the chairperson has referred to the report that the Electricity Distribution Industry, EDI, has produced about the challenges that we have in the distribution infrastructure. We won't be indicating today if we are hiding anything – that we have about R27 billion' worth of backlogs in the distribution infrastructure only in the municipalities that we have already done the study on. If we have to do the whole country, you'd realise that we've got decaying or rotten infrastructure that needs to be totally renewed.

We also need to understand that municipalities have bigger challenges, such as whether to continue to electrify or delay electrification and address the backlogs of the past. You'd remember that many people in South Africa never had access to electricity and many of them are just experiencing electricity now. I remember in 1989, when I was flying back from Zambia after a consultation with the ANC, the pilot said to us that on our right where there was smog and smoke was Soweto and that on our left were the suburbs.

When you looked down, on the left were the blue patches all over of swimming pools and on the right was a cloud of smoke and smog. These are the challenges that we have to deal with today. We have to address these particular challenges.

I have had actual experience of load shedding. In the early 1980s, having visited Zambia again, Zambia had to share electricity with Zimbabwe because their power stations had been bombed by the then defence force as Zambia was seen to be harbouring the ANC. So when we speak about a crisis, we must bear in mind that it was only last week that President Obama said to President Zuma: You have not, as yet, experienced an electricity crisis. This is because they know what it means to have a blackout in an entire state like California for many, many days.

So I just want to say to you today that whilst we have a crisis, we need to understand where this crisis emanates from. This government had to address the challenges faced by the people of South Africa, meeting the basic needs of our people - housing, education, health and others whilst we also had other challenges. That is the reason for stalling and delaying the power station programmes. This is not to say that we are doing away with it, but understand that the policies that government introduced of free basic electricity and universal access drove up demand. That is why today we have to address the challenge we have in relation to providing infrastructure. [Applause.]

We are committed to renewable energy. You would know that the challenge we have is not because we are not committed to renewable energy, but that the technologies we need to employ for renewable energy are very expensive and we don't have them in South Africa. We have to import them at exorbitant costs. This means that we have to ...

IsiZulu:

...hamba kancane...

English:

... make sure that whilst we look at the infrastructure, we import a little bit. That is why I spoke about what Ipap 2 - the Industrial Policy Action Plan - would be doing.

We are committed to making sure that the independent power producers, IPPs, participate. I want to clarify one thing: there are people who believe that we want to privatise Eskom. We are not going to privatise Eskom. We are saying that 30% of the new generation going forward must be in the hands of the private sector. If you want 50 000 Megawatts, 30% of the 50 000 Megawatts must come from the IPPs. That is what we are saying. We are not saying that we are going to take Eskom and privatise parts of it. It would be careless and politically irresponsible for us to do so. We know that energy is a political issue. It is also energy that is responsible for the wars raging in the world. So it is important that the control of energy sources and generation be in the hands of government. That is why I indicated that the grid or ...

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M N Oliphant): Order, please! Is that a point of order?

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: No, I want to ask the Minister a question. Would you take a question, Minister? [Interjections.]

The MINISTER OF ENERGY: No, I don't have time for questions. [Interjections.]

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M N Oliphant): Order, hon members!

The MINISTER OF ENERGY: The grid will never be in private hands, because if it was privatised you be creating another challenge that we are dealing with in that we have to create the ISMO, the independent systems and market operator.

With regard to the hon members who raised the issue of biofuels, I'm happy that you indicated the challenge of using food crops to produce fuel. This is because we would then be driving up the cost of maize meal, the staple food of South Africans. That is why, together with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Science and Technology, we are looking at what would be the right crop to utilise to produce biofuel.

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M N Oliphant): Hon Minister, could you wind up please.

The MINISTER OF ENERGY: Hon member, you are lobbying for the surplus maize to be considered for biofuels. But I don't believe that that will secure security of supply of that feed stock. We need consistent feed stock to be able to introduce something.

So we are saying to hon members that we believe that energy is important. Energy is the lifeline of socioeconomic development. It is important that we continually engage in different debates in this House, in the committees and in the various forums to make sure that we can address the challenges related to energy in this country.

I would also appeal to hon members to participate in the process of producing a plan that will say to South Africans that about 20, 30, 40 years from now that their lights will still be on, and 30, 40 years from now that there will still be liquid fuel for their cars or for jets to make it possible to increase the number of tourists, and increase movement of goods and services and people - in this country, out of this country and in the world. I thank you. [Applause.]

Debate concluded.

The Committee rose at 18:40.

ag(Eng&Tswana)//NPM(IsiZulu)

END OF TAKE


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