Madam Deputy Speaker, the ANC welcomes the outcome of the 2008 Electricity Distribution Maintenance Summit which took place from 9 to 10 June 2008. The summit was held under the theme: Towards a Sustainable Electricity Distribution Industry.
The summit acknowledged that the current constraints in electricity generation, resulting from a low reserve margin, posed a threat to the security of supply and that all stakeholders needed to work in partnership to address the emergency in order to minimise the socio-economic impact thereof.
It was agreed that Nersa must be strengthened to monitor and enforce licence conditions in the distribution industry, especially conditions relating to maintenance, refurbishment, investment and access to information.
The ANC commends Nersa, government and the social partners in Nedlac for the constructive manner in which they have approached the challenges facing the energy sector. This demonstrates the value of meaningful social engagement as a means to achieve sustainable and workable solutions.
I thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.