The Presidency on Monday disputed media reports that President Jacob Zuma has tasked Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa and Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor to persuade Eskom CEO Brian Molefe to sign off on new power purchase agreements (PPAs) with independent power producers (IPPs).
Fin24 on Sunday quoted IPP special energy adviser to the President, Silas Zimu, as having told delegates at the Windaba wind and energy conference in Cape Town last week, that Zuma had taken this step following 18 months of delays.
“No such decision has been taken by either the President or Cabinet . . . Zimu spoke in his personal capacity. His remarks at the conference were not mandated by the Presidency or government,” the Presidency said in its statement.
Further, it stated that only Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Jeff Radebe spoke on behalf of Cabinet.
All concerns that were raised with regards to the IPP programme were currently being attended to, it added.