Although the country has the capacity to meet the current energy demand, Cabinet has called on households and industry to do more to save energy. "The grid has enough capacity but due to the heavy rains across the country, especially in Mpumalanga, where we source most of our coal, it has left coal stocks wet and this has put unexpected strain on our energy system, which is already close to capacity. "We are now faced with a technicality," Acting Minister for Performance Monitoring and … [Read more...] about Cabinet urges SA to reduce electricity use
eskom
Eskom declares power emergency
Eskom has declared a power emergency, with the company saying that load shedding might take place if the need arises. The power utility declared the emergency at 6am on Thursday, and has asked key industrial customers to reduce their load by 10% as of 8am this morning. “Eskom calls on consumers to urgently switch off geysers, pool pumps and all non-essential appliances this morning to prevent the need for rotational load shedding. “The power system is very tight. This risk has … [Read more...] about Eskom declares power emergency
1 700MW added to electricity grid
With Eskom having completed its return to service programme, a total of 1 700MW has been added to the country's electricity grid, Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel said on Tuesday. Minister Patel was addressing a post State of the Nation Address media briefing, held on Tuesday by ministers of the Economic Sectors and Employment and Infrastructure Development cluster. "Eskom has completed the return to service programme, adding 1 700MW to the grid. That 1 700MW is roughly the size … [Read more...] about 1 700MW added to electricity grid
Eskom working hard to keep the lights on
Although the country's power supply will remain constrained going into the winter months, government is working together with Eskom to ensure that the lights stay on, Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba said on Tuesday. Speaking at this year's first quarterly state of the electricity system briefing, Minister Gigaba said he was encouraged by the power utility's efforts to keep the lights on. Since November 2013, Eskom has declared three power emergencies, in which it had asked both its … [Read more...] about Eskom working hard to keep the lights on
Eskom appeals to public to save power
Eskom on Friday afternoon appealed to its customers to continue to save electricity as the system remains on high alert. "Demand for electricity remained very high on Friday morning, which necessitated Eskom to use its normal operational reserves and additional emergency reserves," it said. The power utility anticipates that the system will remain constrained for the rest of Friday and next week. There will be a slight reprieve over the weekend as electricity demand is traditionally … [Read more...] about Eskom appeals to public to save power
Eskom declares power emergency
Eskom today declared an electricity emergency and asked its industrial customers to reduce their load by 10% as of this afternoon. The power system is severely constrained due to the loss of additional generating units from Eskom's power station fleet, reduced imports and the extensive use of emergency reserves. "This has necessitated the need for Eskom to declare an emergency in terms of the approved regulatory protocols, as a measure to protect the national electricity grid. We have … [Read more...] about Eskom declares power emergency
All systems go for local wind farm
The Directors and Shareholders of the Metrowind Van Stadens (MWVS) wind farm, announced today that on the 2nd of February 2014 the Facility Completion milestone was achieved and the 27MW wind farm commenced commercial operations. The facility has been supplying electrical power to the regional grid since late November 2013. MWVS wind farm will sell renewable energy to ESKOM for the next twenty years in accordance with the terms of the Power Purchase Agreement concluded between the parties in … [Read more...] about All systems go for local wind farm
Eskom asks us to ‘live lightly’
Eskom has called on all South Africans to pull together over the next few months and use electricity sparingly by "Living Lightly" this summer as it continues its planned maintenance on generating units. "The power system will remain tight until new generating capacity comes on stream and essential generation maintenance is done. Eskom calls on all electricity consumers to reduce their electricity usage as we move further into summer and continue with planned maintenance on the generating … [Read more...] about Eskom asks us to ‘live lightly’
Nersa announces 8% tariff increase for Eskom
The National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa) made known its decision to grant an 8% increase on Eskom’s request for a 16% tariff increase today. "The decision of the energy regulator is based on facts," said Nersa chairperson Cecilia Khuzwayo. "The third multi-year price determination will be 8% over the next five years." "The average electricity price will increase to 65.51 cents per kWh in 2013/14 up to 89.13 cents in 2018,” said Cecilia Khuzwayo, chairperson of Nersa, on … [Read more...] about Nersa announces 8% tariff increase for Eskom
The previous regime got us into this mess with Eskom – 5 proposed solutions to fix it
Many years ago Port Elizabeth had two power generating plants - one at the corner of Mount and Harrower Roads and one out at Swartkops. The Swartkops one is still visible today. (CLICK HERE to skip my maudlin ramblings and fast forward to our proposed solutions) The then government of the day was under the iron fist of the Nationalist Party who, just like the government of today, had an obsession with centralised control and racial profiling. Along with that I am sure that they had an active … [Read more...] about The previous regime got us into this mess with Eskom – 5 proposed solutions to fix it
Dear NMBMM, What did you do with that R1.1 Billion?
Recent figures from the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality show that the municipality sold R2.9 Billion of electricity. The acquisition cost of that electricity was R1.8 Billion. The big question is; "How did the Municipality employ/spend the gross profit of R1.1 Billion and was it in terms of the legislation?" The Electricity Regulation Act 2006 (Act No. 4 of 2006) as amended by the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act 2007 (Act No. 28 0f 2007) states, in Section 27, the Duties of … [Read more...] about Dear NMBMM, What did you do with that R1.1 Billion?
Chamber opposes Eskom tariff increase
The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber's presentation to NERSA (National Energy Regulator of South Africa) at today's public hearing in Port Elizabeth was cut short this morning by chanting and songs of support by local representatives of COSATU, echoing general sentiments against the proposed electricity price increase. The Business Chamber, however, managed to convey successfully the bulk of its concerns regarding Eskom's proposed 16% increase in electricity tariffs every year for the next … [Read more...] about Chamber opposes Eskom tariff increase
Pulling the plug on rising electricity costs
The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber believes that business and domestic consumers should educate themselves about what Eskom's proposed 16% increase every year for the next five years means for their budgets and the bottom line. Acting for the Business Chamber, Angus Clark, head of the Chamber's Strategic Resources Task Team, will lodge an objection to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) at public hearings in Port Elizabeth on 16 January 2013. "The Business Chamber is … [Read more...] about Pulling the plug on rising electricity costs
R12.6 Billion Eskom Profit
Eskom has announced that its profits for the six-month period beginning on April 1 and ending 30 September 2012 dropped to R12.6 billion from R12.8 billion a year ago. Releasing the power utility's interim results on Tuesday, Eskom CEO Brian Dames said the seasonal nature of the business could mean an even steeper decline in profits by year end. Dames said the past six months had been challenging. He cautioned that economic growth and the industrial unrest, particularly in the mining … [Read more...] about R12.6 Billion Eskom Profit
548% markup on electricity component by Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
A report on Fin24 quoting Nersa regulatory specialist, Charles Geldard, states; "The warning from Nersa came after the committee heard this week that certain major municipalities were adding mark-ups of several hundred percent to Eskom's megaflex tariff. "According to [a study by] the Energy Intensive Users Group (EIUG) of Southern Africa, the figure was 692% in the City of Tshwane in the past financial year, and 548% in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality." At first read the numbers in the … [Read more...] about 548% markup on electricity component by Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
