SA extends public comments deadline on energy plan

| Monday October 25, 2010 00:00

'The closing date for public consultation and submissions for the Draft IRP 2010 has been extended by a period of thirty days to 10 December 2010,' said the department's spokesperson Bheki Khumalo on Friday.

The original closing date for submissions was scheduled for 10 November.

'We have been overwhelmed by the manner in which ordinary South Africans, including civil society, have internalised and taken interest in the Integrated Resource Plan.

'By the end of business yesterday [Thursday last week], we had received 80 requests from groups wishing to make presentations at the four public hearings earmarked as part of the public consultation process,' said Director General Nelisiwe Magubane.

Briefing the media last Friday, the National Stakeholder Advisory Council on Energy called for an extension in the period in which the public can comment on the plan.

Two public hearings will be held in Johannesburg, while Durban and Cape Town will each host one.

The hearings in Johannesburg will be held on 2 and 3 December, while Durban will be on 26 November and Cape Town on 29 November. 'Given the fact that more time will be required to thoroughly process the anticipated extensive submissions, the IRP will most likely be promulgated by the end of the first quarter of 2011,' said the department - (Bua News)