Eskom, Treasury at odds over diesel funds as loadshedding crisis deepens

As chronic loadshedding continues indefinitely, a behind-the-scenes dispute has broken out between National Treasury and Eskom over where the money should come from to buy more diesel.  The only immediate way to reduce loadshedding is for Eskom to burn diesel to power its open-cycle gas turbines. All other possible solutions to reduce loadshedding have a longer lead time of at least 18 months to two years. 
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Lawyers issue letter of demand to Eskom, Gordhan over loadshedding

Several high-profile lawyers, leaders, and NPOs have threatened Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter and Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan with legal action following their failure to provide a stable power supply to the country.  The letter issued to De Ruyter and Gordhan on Monday, was addressed by Mabuza Attorneys and at least six other law firms – Buthelezi Vilakazi Inc, Makangela Mtungani Inc, Mketsu & Associates Inc, Mphahlele & Masipa Inc, Madlanga & Partners Inc and Ntanga Nkuhlu Inc Attorneys.
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Stage 4 and 5 loadshedding expected this week

Stage 4 loadshedding will be implemented at 05:00 to 16:00 from Tuesday, followed by Stage 5 load shedding at 16:00 to 05:00 from Wednesday, Eskom warned. Over the course of this week, 14 generators are expected to return to service, helping to ease the pressure on the power system, the utility said.
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Eskom postpones briefing due to ’emergency’ meeting with Ramaphosa

Eskom has postponed outgoing CEO André de Ruyter’s planned briefing on Monday evening due to an emergency meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa.  “Unfortunately Eskom has had to postpone this afternoon’s media briefing due to emergency engagements with the President,” spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha said in a statement. “While we aim to hold the media briefing as soon as possible, the date and time can only be confirmed once meetings with the President are concluded.” Ramaphosa cancelled his trip to the World Economic Forum’s gathering in Davos, Switzerland this week to deal with SA’s energy crisis. Ramaphosa is also expected to meet leaders of political parties represented in parliament and the National Energy Crisis Committee.
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Eskom also wants tariff restructuring approved ahead of April 1 hike

In a response to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (Nersa’s) recent decision to grant tariff increases of 18.65% and 12.74% respectively for Eskom’s 2024 and 2025 financial years, the utility indicated that the hikes would be implemented on April 1 once the regulator “made a decision on the restructuring of its tariffs, as submitted during August 2020 and 2022”. Engineering News editor Terence Creamer approached Eskom GM for regulation Hasha Tlhotlhalemaje and corporate specialist for electricity pricing Shirley Salvoldi for an explanation on the implications of the statement, including whether the increases might not be implemented in the absence of tariff restructuring. Tlhotlhalemaje and Salvoldi’s responses are outlined below.
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Rand dives after Ramaphosa cancels Davos trip over energy crisis

The rand dropped on Monday after President Cyril Ramaphosa cancelled a trip to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos to deal with the country’s energy crisis, as struggling state utility Eskom’s worst ever power cuts continued. The rand  traded at 17.065 against the dollar at 09:30 GMT, 1.29% weaker than its previous close and its weakest level since December 1.
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Nersa says chairperson does not have conflict of interests

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) says chairperson Thembani Bukula is not conflicted, as he had resigned from his position as nonexecutive director of JSE-listed infrastructure special purpose acquisition company Mahube Infrastructure upon his appointment as Nersa chairperson. “The comments made on social media platforms alleging that Bukula has a conflict of interest are incorrect and misleading,” the regulator states.
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South Africa should ensure WEF discussions reinforce COP27 energy transition plan – BLSA

South Africa should ensure the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting conversation in Davos, Switzerland, this week reinforces the country’s just energy transition plan, and that it achieves international solidarity across business and political spheres to ensure they are part of the project of decarbonising the country’s economy, while ensuring energy security and supporting development, said business lobby Business Leadership South Africa CEO Busi Mavuso. South Africa advanced plans for a Just Energy Transition Partnership with several developed countries to provide $8.5-billion to support the country’s energy transition at the twenty-seventh United Nations Conference of the Parties in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, in November last year.
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President Ramaphosa cancels trip to World Economic Forum as loadshedding crisis deepens

President Cyril Ramaphosa has cancelled his “working trip” to the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) gathering in Davos, Switzerland. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya posted a message to Twitter on Sunday announcing the cancellation.
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Ghana to use Energy Exemplar modelling software to determine energy landscape

The Energy Commission of Ghana has signed an agreement to use energy modelling company Energy Exemplar’s modelling software to understand the entire energy landscape across Ghana, including gas and electricity, the company said this week. The Ghanian government aims to increase the proportion of renewables in the national mix from 42.5 MW to 1 363 MW, or by more than 30 times. The Energy Commission of Ghana has signed a two-year agreement to use Energy Exemplar’s PLEXOS modelling software in supporting the country’s energy aspirations. The agreement was funded by global body the World Bank.
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