Page 22 - Energize November 2022

AMEU CONVENTION

AMEU Convention discusses just

energy transition for South Africa

by Roger Lilley, Energize

bout 450 delegates and 30 end, or at least reduce the severity of, COGTA address
exhibitors gathered at the Durban load shedding. The minister of Cooperate Governance
AInternational Convention Centre She called on all members of the and Traditional Affairs, Dr Nkosazana
recently to attend the Association of AMEU to act decisively and with urgency, Dlamini-Zuma, said that the country
Municipal Electricity Utilities (AMEU) applying a “laser focus” to a number of was suffering from the longest and most
of Southern Africa’s 68th annual high-impact interventions which would electricity interruptions it had ever
convention. This was the first in-person reduce load shedding as much as possible. experienced. This occurred just as the
convention since 2019. The call for social At the same time, energy sources country sought to ensure universal access
distancing in response to the Covid-19 must be diversified to end the total to everyone. Villages and townships
pandemic meant that the Association did reliance on a single supply of electricity. that had been in the dark for centuries
not hold a convention in 2020 and the Municipalities are not doing enough, have gradually recieved light and energy
2021 convention was a virtual one. she said, to ensure full compliance to supply. Despite load shedding, 90% of
The event opened with the singing of their mandate of supplying reliable and South Africa now has access to electricity,
the National Anthem led by a choir from affordable electricity to those they serve. she said. The millions who do not yet
a local school, the reading of Scripture, In fact, she described the situation as have access, or experience a sporadic
and prayer. “accelerating downwards in a negative electricity supply, must be served by any
spiral”. This must be urgently stopped means possible, she added.
Welcome address and turned around, she added. Eighty percent of South Africa’s
In her welcoming address, Jayshree Part of the solution can be seen in energy is generated from fossil fuels,
Pershad, the out-going president of the a just transition to clean and reliable with coal making about 26% of that.
AMEU, said that South Africa seems electricity. The focus is here at this, Over 80 000 are employed in the coal
to have migrated from one crisis to the 68th AMEU Convention, and is
another. The challenges presented by the its theme. A just energy transition
restrictions to movement and gathering (JET) offers the people of South Africa
were highly disruptive. increased standards of living, a reduction
But it is the ongoing electricity in household poverty, and greater
crisis which has a negative impact on equality in terms of access to electricity.
many people’s productivity resulting in To this end, the AMEU has appointed
economic hardship for many. a subcommittee which will assist its
The government has taken note, members to implement JET initiatives
Pershad said, and is focusing its attention and projects at municipal level for the
on trying to find workable solutions to benefit of all. Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma

Jayshree Pershad Choir

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