This brief provides a comparison of two processes, examining the public consultation process that was followed and comparing the extent to which issues raised by the public were taken into account. The brief draws on the policy indicators and case studies prepared for the Electricity Governance Initiative – SA 2009.

The two processes were:
1. Public hearings undertaken by the national Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Minerals and Energy in considering the proposed National Energy Act (2008).
2. Public hearings undertaken by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) in considering the proposed Renewable Energy Feed-In Tariff (REFIT) 2008/09.

The research identified a number of elements of quality (criteria) against which the portfolio committee could be assessed. In terms of the indicator for general capacity, it scored high in terms of the elements of quality: access to knowledge, knowledge enhancement, financial resources and authority. However, the ability of the portfolio committee to take environmental issues into account was scored low in terms of the elements of quality: relevant expertise, designated point person, dedicated financial resources, knowledge enhancement on environmental issues.

See EGI Policy brief for more information.