An energy sector leader recently observed that the electricity crisis in South Africa is maturing (perhaps like cheese) from generation capacity problems to issues of electricity prices, tariffs, the price elasticity of demand, and the capacity of Eskom to finance its generation, transmission and distribution activities. Amid the onset of regular load shedding in late 2014, a so-called "War Room" was established, comprising representatives from various government departments and Eskom, and … [Read more...] about The true state of Eskom
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Eskoms ‘secret’ information
Eskom is facing legal action for refusing to share "secret" information pertaining the payment of bonuses to its top management for the 2014/15 financial year. The business rights watchdog AfriBusiness said on Sunday it took further legal action against Eskom this week after the electricity provider refused to provide AfriBusiness with the requested information, which it called "secret".This comes after AfriBusiness requested Eskom in September 2015 in terms of the Promotion of Access to … [Read more...] about Eskoms ‘secret’ information
Renewables the only practical and cost-effective means to address emerging climate crisis
The precarious state of Eskom's finances threatens to hinder the growth of the renewable energy sector in South Africa, just when it is needed most, Steve Sawyer, secretary general of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) said at the opening of the Windaba in Cape Town on Wednesday. At the same time low oil and coal prices send the wrong kind of signal to consumers, although it does not threaten the renewable energy sector directly, he said. The most recent prices for wind power are 40% … [Read more...] about Renewables the only practical and cost-effective means to address emerging climate crisis
Eskom: No load shedding until May 2016
There likely will be no load shedding until at least May 2016, Eskom CEO Brian Molefe said on Wednesday. While maintenance on Eskom's ageing fleet has been increased, the power utility has managed to stave off implementing load shedding for more than 80 days. "We are doing all that maintenance without load shedding," Molefe said. "We will step up our maintenance in December as everyone goes on holiday. We will add quite a lot of units to the maintenance programme to catch up on … [Read more...] about Eskom: No load shedding until May 2016
Support for IIP from an unexpected source
Eskom fully supports the Department of Energy’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RE-IPPP), saying that IPPs must play a role in the country’s electricity market. In a statement on Tuesday, the power utility said it remains committed to facilitating the entry of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to strengthen the system and meet the growing electricity demand. “Total capacity of 5 701MW has been contracted with IPPs as at 31 March 2015. 3 887MW of this … [Read more...] about Support for IIP from an unexpected source
Eskom asks for harsher sentences for izinyoka
If Eskom has its way, "izinyoka" - the isiZulu word for snakes - who steal electricity will have to pay up to R60 000 in penalties. The entity proposed that stealing electricity be added as a new offence to the criminal matters amendment bill and that it should carry heavy penalties. Presenting its arguments on the first day of public hearings into the bill, Eskom's Neo Tsholanku detailed the losses it suffered through electricity theft. The bill proposes criminalising the unlawful and … [Read more...] about Eskom asks for harsher sentences for izinyoka
Two warnings in a row
Eskom tweeted earlier today; "Load shedding probability is low for today. Thank you for saving electricity, every bit saved makes a difference. #LiveLightly" https://twitter.com/Eskom_SA/status/652698549344464896 Whilst we appreciate and are grateful for the feedback from Eskom one cannot help but thinking that this renewed uptake of warnings and communication could just be foreplay ahead of some major downtime again - #HopingIAmWrong Load Shedding Schedules to 6 December 2015 … [Read more...] about Two warnings in a row
High probability of load shedding today
Just when you had put that generator away, stopped using your inverter and shelved plans for a grid-tie solar system..... Along comes every solar and renewable energy companies best friend in the whole world - Eskom in the form of a Load Shedding alert. Eskom warned today: "We have a high probability of load shedding today. Eskom urges you to immediately switch off all unnecessary appliances to save electricity." https://twitter.com/Eskom_SA/status/652354003616067584 Nelson Mandela … [Read more...] about High probability of load shedding today
Could this be because of Braai Day?
The power system is currently stable with no load shedding anticipated, said Eskom on Friday. "Eskom continues to make progress with its maintenance programme even though the system remains tight," said the power utility. Eskom encouraged customers to continue to use electricity efficiently throughout the day and to encourage friends and family to do the same. - SAnews.gov.za Have a look and see the origin of Heritage Day HERE: A Shaka (Charka) Day lesson in Political Correctness … [Read more...] about Could this be because of Braai Day?
We didn’t quite make 40 days
No load shedding is currently taking place and the country only experienced two hours and 20 minutes of power cuts in the last 39 days, said Eskom on Thursday. "Over the past 39 days, we have had only two hours and 20 minutes of load shedding. And, since it was stage 1 load shedding, this meant that 96% of South Africans still got uninterrupted electricity supply. "The power system is stable and no load shedding is currently taking place," said Eskom. However, the risk for load shedding … [Read more...] about We didn’t quite make 40 days
Are we being eased back into load shedding?
Eskom has kept the country's lights on for five weeks, following a gruelling period of load shedding during winter. However the power utility cautioned on Sunday that the power system will be tight in the coming days owing to maintenance work. It will undertake planned maintenance on the Cahora Bassa hydroelectric scheme together with Hidroelectrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB). "As a result, South Africa will get 650 MW instead of the 1 500 MW that is normally imported from Cahora Bassa on a … [Read more...] about Are we being eased back into load shedding?
So, do we get a big celebration when Eskom hits 40?
Eskom has been able to supply the country's electricity needs and do maintenance without implementing load shedding for the past 25 days, said the utility on Thursday. "We are implementing our maintenance plan to increase the reliability of our plant, which will in turn increase our operating reserves and stabilise the grid," Eskom said in a statement. It does not anticipate that there will be a need to implement load shedding today as the power system is currently stable. However, the … [Read more...] about So, do we get a big celebration when Eskom hits 40?
When 24 days of service delivery IS news!
Eskom does not anticipate that there will be a need to load shed today as the power system is currently stable following 24 days of no load shedding. "However, the system remains vulnerable, meaning that any extra load or faults in the system may necessitate the need to implement load shedding," said Eskom on Wednesday. Eskom has met the country's electricity demand while operating and maintaining its generation fleet in a sustainable manner for over three weeks. This resulted in no load … [Read more...] about When 24 days of service delivery IS news!
Nersa’s Decision saved R300-million for residents and businesses in the city
Electricity customers in Nelson Mandela Bay will this year collectively save R296 336 000, thanks to an earlier decision to reject additional electricity charges. The National Energy Regulator (Nersa) rejected Eskom's application to raise the price of electricity following public hearings in June, which was attended by a delegation representing the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber. In a recent presentation to the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber Board, one of the delegation members, … [Read more...] about Nersa’s Decision saved R300-million for residents and businesses in the city
The cost of 99 days of load shedding to SA economy
The shock of Eskom's load shedding has finally hit home, even as the China and terms-of-trade shocks are only starting to build, said Nomura analyst and emerging markets economist Peter Attard Montalto. While Eskom has not enforced load shedding for the past 17 days, the 99 days of load shedding it had implemented in 2015 has caused manufacturing and mining output to decrease, Stats SA figures show. Montalto said Africa's most industrialised country, whose GDP contracted by 1.3% in the … [Read more...] about The cost of 99 days of load shedding to SA economy
