This week's Supreme Court of Appeal ruling that set aside the Port Elizabeth business consortium's case against NERSA and Eskom, is of serious concern to OUTA. The case involved a challenge against NERSA and Eskom to ensure they operate within the governance and rules required of them in the Electricity Regulations, which the applicants believe has not been the case during recent electricity tariff hike applications. While OUTA agrees somewhat to the court ruling that it is NERSA's role to … [Read more...] about Bigger challenges ahead for civil society to fight electricity price hikes
eskom
Committee Concerned about State of Governance at Eskom
Committee Concerned about State of Governance at Eskom: The Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises held an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday to discuss the issue of the reappointment of Eskom’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Brian Molefe. Acting Chairperson Ms Zukiswa Rantho said last week the Committee agreed unanimously to call a meeting where the Board and the Minister are to appear before the Committee and explain what is happening at the power utility. Ms Rantho said: “The … [Read more...] about Committee Concerned about State of Governance at Eskom
24 Times No, No, No to Electricity Tariff Hikes
Civic campaigner Ted Blom stood up against 24 municipalities’ attempts to hike electricity prices – and he was the only member of the public to do so. All the municipalities’ requests for higher-than-standard electricity price increases should be refused, says Blom, the energy portfolio director for the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA). Municipalities which want to charge more than the nationally set annual increase of 1.88% must get special permission from the National Energy … [Read more...] about 24 Times No, No, No to Electricity Tariff Hikes
Eskom Distribution Customer Centric Winter Plan
As the winter season takes grip of the country, Eskom reports that they are ready to keep the lights on. “Eskom has committed to continue keeping the lights on this winter despite the severe weather conditions that have already started to grip the country,” said the power utility on Friday. Eskom said it is aware that the past few weeks not only signalled the start of winter but also indicated the impact the weather conditions will have on the company’s electricity distribution … [Read more...] about Eskom Distribution Customer Centric Winter Plan
Eskom MYPD Exemption Requests Denounced
OUTA has seen a copy of Eskom’s request to the National Energy Regulator (NERSA) for exemption from requirements listed in the revised Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD) rules. This is the application which will set electricity prices from April 2018. OUTA believes that Eskom is trying to deflect attention from maladministration and probable corruption at the entity. “Any decent accounting system should deliver this information at the click of a mouse,” says Ted Blom, OUTA’s portfolio … [Read more...] about Eskom MYPD Exemption Requests Denounced
Eskom’s 400% Tariff Hike Thwarted
NERSA, the National Energy Regulator has recently published its decision on the outcome of yet another attempt by Eskom to fleece the consumer. This followed hearings held at Nersa’s head office in December last year at which, barring the attendance of a large Eskom delegation, OUTA’s Ted Blom was the lone defender of SA’s consumers against a 400% price increase on unspecified Eskom Critical Peak Days. Eskom had argued for the new tariff in order to encourage reduced consumption on days where … [Read more...] about Eskom’s 400% Tariff Hike Thwarted
PE in the news: South Africans switch off for Earth Hour and save 420MW in the process – Eskom
South Africans switch off for Earth Hour and save 420MW in the process – Eskom: “This is enough to power a city the size of Polokwane or Port Elizabeth for an hour,” Eskom said in a statement on Sunday. South Africans took action against climate change on Saturday evening when they switched off their lights for Earth Hour from 8 ... Source: "Port Elizabeth" - BingNews. Zille’s fate rests in hands of DA’s federal executive: FILE: This file photo shows Western Cape Premier Helen Zille in Port … [Read more...] about PE in the news: South Africans switch off for Earth Hour and save 420MW in the process – Eskom
Eskom and Coega sign collaborative agreement on SA’s Nuclear New Build Programme
Eskom and the Coega Development Corporation (CDC) today signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate in the development of South Africa's nuclear new build programme (NNBP). The two state-owned companies (SOCs) will work together in support of government's plans to build local capacity through supplier development and localisation around the unfolding infrastructure for the nuclear programme. Eskom's Group Executive for Group Capital, Abram Masango, said, "We are gearing ourselves up in … [Read more...] about Eskom and Coega sign collaborative agreement on SA’s Nuclear New Build Programme
It’s time for Eskom to show leadership when it comes to renewable energy
It’s time for Eskom to show leadership when it comes to renewable energy: Eskom’s on-going scapegoating of renewable energy as the reason behind its financial woes shows a lack of vision, particularly in the light of the urgent need to develop new jobs beyond the coal industry. Instead, the utility should be leading the country into a greener, more equitable energy future which will help South Africa both create new, cleaner jobs and meet its international obligations to the Paris … [Read more...] about It’s time for Eskom to show leadership when it comes to renewable energy
WWF launches petition urging Eskom to back renewable energy
WWF launches petition urging Eskom to back renewable energy: WWF South Africa has launched a petition calling on Eskom to expedite the use of renewable energy in the country as part of this year’s Earth Hour campaign. Earth Hour is an annual global event, during which people are encouraged to switch off their lights on the last Saturday in March from 8.30pm to 9.30pm local time as a symbolic gesture marking the environmental challenges facing our planet. This year, WWF-SA has decided … [Read more...] about WWF launches petition urging Eskom to back renewable energy
J-Bay in the news: Eskom confirms interest in Thyspunt as nuclear plant
Eskom confirms interest in Thyspunt as nuclear plant: Also the nuclear spill is a given and such will wash into the ocean and that's not good for us as surfers and it could lead to the end of the festivals such as the Jeffrey’s Bay Open," says one resident. "I have no problem with the plant, I think it will ... Source: "Jeffreys Bay" - BingNews. BILLABONG INL's (BLLAF) CEO Neil Fiske on Q1 2017 Results - Earnings Call Transcript: Sales in South Africa were down AUD2.5 million, impacted by … [Read more...] about J-Bay in the news: Eskom confirms interest in Thyspunt as nuclear plant
Unbundle Eskom
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) has lodged a complaint with the Competition Commission to seek its ruling and recommendation to both fine and unbundle Eskom, due to monopolistic control and conduct of electricity supply and pricing in South Africa. The complaint will be based on Eskom’s abuse of its dominant position in the electricity market and its exclusionary acts. It will request the Competition Commission to investigate the possibility of breaking Eskom into two distinct … [Read more...] about Unbundle Eskom
NERSA’s 2.2% Cap on Eskom Tariff Commended
OUTA has commended NERSA for rejecting Eskom's demands for a higher tariff increase and for sticking to the 2,2% allowed under the current Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD) process. "We are appalled that Eskom has sighted current ‘hardships' as the reason for requesting a much higher increase, especially since these so-called hardships are self-inflicted and exist due to poor leadership – as reflected in the recent Dentons report," says Ted Blom, OUTA's Portfolio Director on Energy … [Read more...] about NERSA’s 2.2% Cap on Eskom Tariff Commended
333 MW added to the electricity grid
Unit 3 of Eskom’s Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme has been brought into commercial operation, adding 333 MW to the electricity grid. This now means that all four units that make up the plant, which is located on the cross-border of the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal, are now commercial and produce a total of 1 332 MW. The commercial operation of Unit 3 completes the Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme project, further strengthening security of power supply to South African homes and … [Read more...] about 333 MW added to the electricity grid
Kusile unit connected to the grid
Kusile power station's Unit 1 has been connected to the national grid for the first time this year, power utility Eskom has said. Connected to grid on Monday, the unit adds an extra 800MW to further stabilise the power system to support South Africa's economic growth and the rollout of the electrification programme. The connection of Unit 1 of Kusile comes at a time when Eskom has incrementally been building excess capacity to ensure security of power supply. "Eskom has focussed on … [Read more...] about Kusile unit connected to the grid
