Government has received more than 180 nominations for the yet-to-be-established Ministerial Advisory Council on Energy, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Wednesday.

"I have been informed by the department of energy that the proposed ministerial advisory council has not yet been established. The ministry has received a number of nominations for the council and is currently processing a list of up to 180 nominations that they have received."

Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson announced in June that she would establish the council to advise the department on overcoming the country's energy supply problems.

Ramaphosa, who was answering questions in the National Council of Provinces, said government's heightened focus on the energy sector would "unleash a lot of opportunities for a lot of players" and enhance job creation.

Asked about funding for new alternative energy projects, Ramaphosa said he hoped the private sector and local financial institutions would step up to the plate.

"The private sector is therefore expected to augment Eskom's build programme through the independent power producer programme, the IPP, in terms of which generation capacity will be constructed on a build, operate and transfer basis... I believe it can serve us well."

He added: "A full energy mix that is going to encompass coal, but go beyond coal to shale gas, solar, wind, all those, there will be opportunities that will be unlocked and the financing thereof clearly is something that I would like to believe financial institutions, when they see a clear business case, will be prepared to come to the fold and provide funding."

Ramaphosa denied conflict in Cabinet on energy policy, saying the president "leads a united Cabinet".