What has the DA been doing to fix the electricity crisis?

As waves of rolling blackouts continue with no end in sight, the solution is clear if the ANC decides to do what is right: implement the DA’s Integrated Electricity Management Operator (IEMO) bill or the Cheaper Energy Bill.

This will drive the cost of electricity down, introduce competition into the energy sector, and diversify the country’s energy sources to introduce more renewables.

As Eskom drags the economy down with it, we continue to urge government to get out of the electricity generation business.

  • Put oversight mechanisms in place to prevent the looting of emergency relief funding if a state of disaster on Eskom is declared.
  • Privatise electricity generation. This includes allowing citizens to generate their own power to keep the lights on.
  • Change the law so businesses and individuals can sell the extra electricity they generate onto the grid for others to use.
  • Offer a R75 000 tax rebate to cover the cost of installing solar systems in homes, to take pressure off the grid.
  • Zero-rate VAT on LED lightbulbs and energy-efficient appliances.
  • Ease the regulatory requirements for private generation, to bring small Independent Power Producers (IPPs) online quicker.


A timeline of DA activism on Eskom

We will never stop fighting for the corrupt to be brought to justice! Here are details on the important questions the DA has put before parliament to uncover the truth behind the rot at Eskom.

  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013

What are DA-governments doing to keep the lights on?

Newsroom

National blackout – DA calls for government continuity contingency plan

Indefinite stage 6 load shedding – DA asks Cabinet to use common sense and declare a ring-fenced State of Disaster on Eskom

NERSA allowing ‘ANC political gremlins’ in decision making to blame for Eskom tariff decision delay

Ramaphosa’s broken promise – where are the tax incentives for rooftop solar installations?

Declare Eskom State of Disaster now, President Ramaphosa

A minute to midnight – declare a ring-fenced state of Disaster around Eskom now!

Semi-permanent loadshedding – NERSA should reject Eskom’s 32% tariff increase application

Breaking News: IAEA ready to offer technical assistance to the Koeberg life extension project after DA intervention

Ramaphosa must publicly support the Eskom board’s plan to ditch BEE

DA asks Parliament to summon NECOM Ministers over worsening electricity crisis

Load shedding exemption must be expanded to include all hospitals

New Eskom Board – Hello cadre deployment my old friend

Don’t come with more empty promises this afternoon on loadshedding, Mr President

Ramaphosa’s inefficient NECOM chooses to be a ‘secret society’ while South Africans stay in the dark

Cutting a trip short without a plan is a gimmick, President Ramaphosa

Network blackout looms as load shedding has devastating effects on cell towers across SA

DA fights to reject Eskom’s 32% tariff increase application at NERSA public hearings

DA asks Health Minister how he is planning to keep the power on in hospitals and clinics

Ending load-shedding will require experts, not politicians

Rolling blackouts an existential threat for the SMME sector

Electricity crisis – DA calls for the immediate return of Ramaphosa and the declaration of a ring-fenced state of disaster around Eskom

South Africans will not pay a cent more to Eskom to stay in the dark

DA intervenes to salvage the Koeberg life extension project and prevent possible grid collapse

Mantashe’s Eskom 2.0 fantasy will leave South Africa with an expensive fiscal hangover

Gordhan must appear before the Public Enterprises Committee over Eskom’s energy plan regression

DA’s Implementation Tracker shows that Ramaphosa’s Energy Response Plan is already flashing red

Eskom skills crisis – DA calls for moratorium on the BBBEE requirement on Eskom’s hiring decisions

Underperforming Eskom power plants – when is Eskom rehiring engineers and technicians?

Speaker’s silence is reducing Parliament to a spectator once again on the electricity crisis

DA Energy and Electricity Policy will end loadshedding, provide cheap and reliable electricity and fuel

DA rejects (another) proposed Eskom bailout

DA initiates process for a Parliamentary Ad-hoc committee to oversee the National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM) and implementation of the Energy Plan

Government must get out of the way of those who can – and want to – fix the electricity crisis

Ramaphosa’s energy plan is straight out of the DA playbook – DA to launch implementation tracker to keep track of project deliverables

DA registers first milestone in fight for red tape reduction for Independent Power Producers

With Ramaphosa missing in action on the energy crisis, Parliament must step in to fill the leadership vacuum

The DA Difference: While Eskom wants to charge you for using solar, DA-led governments will reward you

Adding Eskom debt to South Africa’s R4 trillion national debt burden will be reckless and irresponsible

Eskom wants to charge you almost R1000 for NOT using electricity

South Africans will not pay for a 32.7% tariff increase to be kept in the dark by Eskom

The ANC ‘solution’ to the failed Eskom? Create another Eskom

DA clarifies its position on a ring-fenced State of Disaster on Eskom and the electricity sector

Energy Crisis: Will the President see the light?

Prioritise patients not politicians – Why are Ministers exempt from loadshedding and hospitals are not?

DA welcomes judgment that Brian Molefe must pay back R10 million

Stage 6 loadshedding for South Africans while Eskom sells electricity to neighbours

National Police Commissioner should take command of SAPS operations at Eskom

President Ramaphosa must provide concrete plans for implementation of electricity emergency plan

Stage 6 loadshedding: Cabinet should take full blame for failing to act

DA: National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure must enforce Eskom interdict and protect power plants

Eskom should interdict the wildcat strike action at its generation plants

DA takes fight against loadshedding to Cabinet

Mining Indaba: Minister Gwede’s remarks demonstrate a lack of understanding of South Africa’s energy needs

Minister Gordhan got it wrong, here is why the DA is calling for a State of Disaster on Eskom and the energy sector

Rolling blackouts: DA reiterates call for Eskom State of Disaster while Ramaphosa is missing in action

DA calls for moratorium on onerous regulations for independent power generation to address electricity crisis

Eskom must be declared a State of Disaster

Mantashe’s RMPIPP has failed and should be terminated

Is the National Nuclear Regulator doing its job?

Eskom: Urgent and pragmatic intervention needed to avoid a total grid collapse

Ramaphosa’s ‘New Dawn’ has become the worst loadshedding period on record

NERSA Tariff Increase: 9.61% will still be a huge blow for struggling South Africans

DA welcomes Mayor Hill-Lewis’ 300MW IPP plan

DA rejects Mantashe’s ambition to expand nuclear and coal generation

Rolling blackouts: DA to request Commission of Inquiry into Eskom

Exorbitant electricity tariff increase request a consequence of a moribund Eskom monopoly

South Africans should not pay for electricity that they do not have

Are South Africans paying more for electricity to fund Eskom’s expensive diesel burning?

Eskom infrastructure sabotage is consistent with the July insurrectionists’ modus operandi

5 times Mantashe’s ‘toing and froing’ has worsened SA’s energy crisis

More rolling blackouts, with no end in sight, a national disgrace

Mantashe contradicts Ramaphosa (again!) on moving away from fossil fuels

Bid Window 5: DA vindicated on renewable energy costs

NERSA’s proposed new Eskom tariff model will not provide relief to consumers facing high electricity prices

If you want to be free of the ANC’s electricity crisis, the DA has a plan

DA to PAIA NERSA’s decision to grant generation licences to Karpowership

Western Cape moves one step closer to energy independence following launch of Energy Resilience Fund

Privatisation is Eskom’s only hope in light of ballooning debt and R18.9bn in losses

Mantashe’s new 2500MW nuclear energy build programme is an exercise in futility

Delays to gazette 100MW generation threshold proof that Mantashe has no desire to fix energy crisis

DA welcomes Parliamentary meeting into Karpowerships

Gordhan and De Ruyter must come clean on Medupi

While the ANC plunges SA into darkness, the DA municipalities move closer electricity independence

DA calls for review of Risk Mitigation IPP programme after DEAFF decision on Karpowership deal

DA welcomes planned amendments to Schedule 2 of the Electricity Regulation Act

Is the national grid about to collapse?

Stage 4 Rolling Blackouts: South Africans must register to vote to keep the lights on

DA to PAIA Eskom task team meeting minutes

Eskom’s continuous rolling blackouts threatening access to life-saving oxygen machines

As stage 4 loadshedding looms, the DA is fighting for energy independence

Eskom must come clean on loadshedding and the impact it will have on vaccine rollout

Mabuza must step aside following Eskom kickback scandal

DA calls on Ramaphosa to sanction SIU probe into Powerships allegations

ANC nixes investigation into electricity bidders

Mantashe must come clean about Powerships

DA welcomes renewed push to open SA’s electricity grid

How much diesel will Eskom’s burn to suspend loadshedding for King’s memorial?

DA calls on Mantashe and Gordhan to convene a National Energy Indaba to address the electricity crisis

DA calls for immediate review of schedule 2 of the Electricity Regulation Act

Eskom’s failure once again on full display

DA calls for a commission of Inquiry into the operational viability of Eskom

NERSA’s ineptitude contributing to escalating cost of electricity tariffs

DA calls on South Africans to reject the impending electricity tariff increase from Eskom

DA will fight Eskom’s plans to make solar panel users pay more for electricity

DA-run Stellenbosch Municipality moves one step closer to electricity independence

18 times government misled SA about Eskom and rolling blackouts

DA submits supplementary evidence to Ethics Committee regarding Mantashe bribery allegations

Did Mabuza mislead Parliament on the completion of the Medupi power station?

Load shedding: DA concerned over hospitals and vaccine storage

Minister Mantashe must reopen REIPPP to save SA from load shedding

DA to oppose Eskom’s desperate move to access pensions

The Eskom crisis can be solved. An open letter to David Mabuza

DA demands transparency on Mantashe’s nuclear plans

DA seeks meeting with Mantashe over IPP red tape

DA welcomes Deputy President’s commitment to discuss our R75k solar tax rebate proposal as a step forward

DA welcomes Deputy President’s commitment to discuss our R75k solar tax rebate proposal as a step forward

Opinion | Why are we being kept in the dark on dealing with load shedding and where is the urgency, Mr President?

DA welcomes gazetting of S34 electricity determinations

Open Letter to Minister Mantashe: You’re all talk and no action on energy security

While the ANC and EFF pander outdated ideologies, Eskom plunges the country into stage 4 darkness

DA to ask Speaker to look into Parliament’s flawed rejection of Cheaper Electricity Bill

Opinion | Vitriol against DA is driving attack on Cheaper Electricity Bill

Department of Mineral Resources must not scare investors for renewable energy bid away

Opinion | Eskom crisis: Public anger is mounting against delinquent municipalities

New Eskom transmission department must not be burdened with old problems