Energy takes top billing in South Africa’s State of the Nation address

Although resolving the energy crisis topped a nine-point plan to kickstart the economy outlined in his State of the Nation address, President Jacob Zuma announced little in the way of new policies. His 12 February speech reiterated the plan to rescue Eskom, confirming that the utility would receive R23bn ($2bn) from the government over the next fiscal year, and he announced that the gas independent power producer (IPP) procurement programme would begin in Q1 of this year. Head of the Department of Energy IPP Office Karen Breytenbach later confirmed that a request for information would be issued in March.