The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has rejected plans to split Eskom’s transmission system operator, warning that the move could lead to job losses and threaten public ownership of the energy sector (sundayworld.co.za). The union expressed concerns over the unbundling of Eskom, which was approved by President Cyril Ramaphosa following the Phase I report from the Eskom Restructuring Task Team. Khangela Baloyi, NUM’s Energy Sector Coordinator, acknowledged the urgency of the reforms but stressed the potential risks to employment and state control.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s clean energy transition is gaining momentum, with a project set to supply clean energy to Seriti’s coal mining operations via Eskom’s transmission network (witness.co.za). This development highlights the country’s dual approach to energy policy—balancing the need for cleaner power sources with the ongoing reliance on traditional energy infrastructure. The project underscores the complexity of South Africa’s energy landscape as it navigates both economic and environmental challenges.
