Court rules against Numsa on renewable energy IPP application

The North Gauteng High Court on Thursday ruled against the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) and civic group Transform RSA’s urgent application to stop State-owned Eskom from signing contracts with private renewable energy projects. Numsa had asked the court to block the signing of power purchase agreements (PPAs) with 27 independent power producers (IPPs) until the court heard an application by the Coal Transporters’ Forum, which argues that a switch to renewable energy from coal-fired electricity will lead to job losses in linked sectors.