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Ekurhuleni gets approval to buy 2400MW from private power producers

Published

Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa announced the Ministerial Determination at a briefing in Pretoria on Monday. The union federation SAFTU has since condemned the plan and called on the city to halt it.

The determination falls under Section 34 of the Electricity Regulation Act. The capacity covers 1237MW of solar PV, 780MW of natural gas and 183MW of waste-to-energy. Another 200MW goes to innovative energy technologies.

Ramokgopa said the move could free Ekurhuleni from total dependence on Eskom. He said it shows government's commitment to energy security. Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza said the programme will attract about R6.2 billion in infrastructure investment and create jobs.

Xhakaza said communities now pay R3 per unit and could save up to 31%. The City estimates savings of R36 billion over 20 years on bulk electricity. eThekwini has a similar path for 400MW, and Cape Town for 220MW.

SAFTU general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi asked the city to disclose the full cost to residents. SAFTU spokesperson Newton Masuku said independent power producers have not improved energy security. He also said the power agreements, the purchase terms and the risks to the public have not been made public.

Key facts

Who
Zwelinzima Vavi (General Secretary of SAFTU); Newton Masuku (National spokesperson of SAFTU); South African Federation of Trade Unions (Trade union federation that condemned the plan); City of Ekurhuleni (Municipality planning to procure independent power)
What
SAFTU condemned Ekurhuleni's plan to buy 2 400 megawatts of new generation capacity from independent power producers, a mix of solar photovoltaic, natural gas, waste-to-energy and other technologies. Its general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi called on the city to halt the plan and disclose the full cost implications for residents.
When
20 October 2026
Where
Ekurhuleni, Pretoria, eThekwini
Status
Reported

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