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The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) has asked Minister of Energy David Mahlobo for urgent clarification on the purpose of the upcoming Energy Indaba and to object to its use as formal public participation.

“According to the Ministry, it would appear the planned Energy Indaba constitutes a formal public engagement process on energy matters in general, including on the nuclear matter,” said OUTA CEO Wayne Duvenage in a letter sent to Mahlobo on 29 November.

“We believe the planned Energy Indaba in the format currently being pursued falls well short of the requirements in law and reason for meaningful engagement on decisions relating to energy mix and procurement.”

Duvenage asked Mahlobo to explain the purpose of the indaba, for a copy of the programme and an explanation on how it was advertised.

The Energy Indaba is reportedly being held on 7-8 December at Gallagher in Midrand.

OUTA hasn’t received an invitation or formal notification about this indaba and there does not appear to be anything about it on the Ministry of Energy website.

OUTA is concerned that this is another attempt to get the unaffordable and unnecessary nuclear build underway, by bypassing the legally required public participation process despite the high court order in March that this process is to be started again from the beginning. OUTA believes this indaba is rushed, secretive and designed to circumvent legal process on energy planning.

Media reports on this indicate that the indaba is about the draft Integrated Energy Plan (IEP) and the draft Integrated Resource Plan for Electricity (IRP). OUTA has a strong interest in both of these, as these are intended as the policy basis for planning energy and electricity requirements, including the controversial nuclear build.

OUTA is a proudly South African non-profit civil action organisation, comprising of and supported by people who are passionate about holding government accountable and improving the prosperity of South Africa.

Issued by OUTA