Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe got pulses racing for the right and wrong reasons earlier this month. Firstly, he indicated that he was finally ready to roll out the red carpet for self-generation projects by amending Schedule 2 of the Electricity Regulation Act to make it easier for companies to invest. He then proceeded to pull the rug, however, suggesting that additional capacity be introduced under the aegis of a new State-owned generation company, possibly with private partners. Given the crisis, mixed messages such as these are wholly unhelpful.