Literally the sanitized Denton report covered up crucial information. As South Africans, we have been paying increasing tariffs as a result of dark dealings in Eskom, referring to billions of unaccounted payments to their suppliers.”
Khambule went on to say, “This would not be the case had renewable energy been the bedrock of the utility. The difference between our current utility provider and the IPP is that one has numerous independent players. IPPs generate revenue from electricity produced for a fixed tariff while Eskom uses the forecast based model (future production) which places an unfair burden on the taxpayer.
The diesel supposedly used to avert load shedding not only burnt a hole in the pockets of the public but it consumed a large part of South Africa’s assumed carbon budget. If price were the deciding factor, then renewable energy, with its costs having been decreased drastically, was ignored. Instead, Eskom chose fossil fuels so that dirty money could be made through shady deals instead of advancing renewable energy, which presented a cleaner alternative.”
Khambule continued: “South Africa therefore placed its climate change contribution to the international community at risk. This means that South Africa will have to undertake steeper and deeper emissions reductions in order to get back in line with its mitigation contribution to pursue an average increase of below 1.5 degrees. This can be achieved with ambitious renewable energy deployment, which is essential to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.”
In conclusion, Khambule said, “The recent revelations contained in the report shows that vested interests within Eskom completely undermined the country’s obligations to achieve a just transition towrds a low carbon economy. A low carbon economy is based on a decarbonised electricity sector. This means no more new coal power-station, no more diesel and definitely no false solutions such as nuclear. The electricity sector is not a free for all. Actions by the utility and its employees have far reaching consequences on the public and the environment.”