The Eastern Cape places high economic priority on securing, reliable, and sustainable energy, especially for vital sectors like the automotive industry, which employs thousands of people. Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane emphasized this at the 4th National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM) Demand Side Management Indaba in Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay Metro.

NECOM, an initiative by the Presidency of South Africa, aims to address the immediate electricity supply shortfall and mitigate the impact of load shedding. During the two-day Indaba, energy experts, researchers, and industry partners collaborated on proposals and solutions for effective demand-side management.

Premier Mabuyane stressed the urgent need to expand and ensure a secure and low-carbon energy supply, "As the energy landscape evolves, supporting municipal energy systems becomes increasingly crucial. Eastern Cape municipalities must receive equitable attention alongside others across South Africa as we advance toward a sustainable energy future. The Eastern Cape is focused on aligning and supporting the National Energy Action Plan, driven by the Ministry for Electricity, the National Energy Crisis Committee, Eskom, and other key institutions.”

The province supports key action plan elements, such as streamlining regulatory processes, backing the national Energy One-Stop Shop, increasing generation capacity, and strengthening transmission to alleviate grid capacity constraints.

According to Premier Mabuyane, the province's peak electricity demand is approximately 1,750 Megawatts (MW). On the supply side, the Eastern Cape provides 335 MW from the DEDISA peaking power station and 1,509 MW from renewable power producers and other smaller sources. Furthermore, 293 MW of new wind farms are currently under construction and expected to be completed this year with numerous other projects in the pipeline.

The Eastern Cape's focus on expanding energy infrastructure, supporting new energy projects, and aligning with national energy strategies will ensure a sustainable and prosperous future. This demonstrates the province's commitment to resolving the energy crisis and promoting economic development through a reliable and secure energy supply.