Woman who championed SA renewable energy ousted

Karen Breytenbach, who oversaw the expansion of South Africa’s privately owned renewable energy projects, said she was asked to vacate her job about nine months before her contract expires.

The Department of Energy and the Development Bank of South Africa asked her to leave her post as head of South Africa’s Independent Power Producer office, she said.

“There was no reason,” she said in an interview on Monday. “They want to appoint someone else.”

Breytenbach won support from prominent figures in the energy industry for a program that was seen as one of the world’s best in attracting rapid investment in solar and wind power.

The pace of the projects came to a standstill after state-owned utility Eskom stalled for more than two years while favouring a controversial nuclear project, but in 2018 deals were signed and the Department of Energy signalled more renewable energy investment would be welcome.

“Since 2011 she has overseen 209 billion rand ($15 billion) investment in 112 renewable energy projects,” said Antony Eberhard, a member of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s task team for the struggling national power utility Eskom, in a Twitter posting. “Zero corruption.”

Today, Karen Breytenbach, head of the IPP Office, was asked by DBSA & DoE to leave. Since 2011 she has overseen R209 billion investment in 112 renewable energy projects – zero corruption. President @CyrilRamaphosa‘s investment drive needs good institutions and people to succeed pic.twitter.com/DrwChLj2L5

— Anton Eberhard (@AntonEberhard) July 22, 2019

The Department of Energy didn’t immediately reply to emails seeking comment. South Africa announced plans last year to invite bidders for additional renewable power projects worth as much as R50bn. President Cyril Ramaphosa has targeted energy as a major contributor in a drive to attract $100bn of investment.