Shumba partners SA firm to develop power plant
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
The MEIPP is a 300 MegaWatt (MW) energy capacity project with a minimum 260 MW net supply to grid after auxiliary and mine consumption. The project will entail building a coal-fired power plant with a captive coalmine, to take part in the South African Coal Base Load Independent Power Producers (IPP) programme. Last year, South Africa asked IPPs to submit proposals to build coal-fired plants as part of a string of initiatives aimed at ending chronic electricity shortages in that country.
In a statement released on Friday, the two companies noted that within a two month-period following the signing of the Heads of Agreement (HOA), they would enter into a comprehensive Joint Development Agreement (JDA), which shall include detailed conditions of the partnership.
Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...