Municipalities must be at driving seat of clean energy [Video]

Municipalities are at the centre of government’s efforts to move towards clean energy and fulfil the country’s commitment to global climate change.

This is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who was addressing the opening ceremony of the Municipal Just Energy Transition (JET) Conference held in Johannesburg on Monday.

The President highlighted that South Africa’s 257 metropolitan, district and local municipalities “own and operate approximately half of South Africa’s electricity distribution grid and facilitate universal access to electricity”.

“One hundred and sixty five municipalities are electricity service providers. Through the Integrated National Electrification Programme grant, municipalities are responsible for addressing the electrification backlog. 

“Municipalities therefore need to be in the driving seat when it comes to providing clean, affordable energy to communities, businesses and industry,” the President highlighted.

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In this regard, South Africa’s Cabinet approved the JET Investment Plan, which has a dedicated municipal portfolio roadmap with three areas of focus.

These are:

• Providing access to affordable clean electricity;
• …