Eskom is seeking comment on proposed amendments to the grid code, which it says are required to facilitate open and non-discriminatory access to the network for new generation in a context of severe grid constraints, especially in the Cape provinces, as well as changing market dynamics. Included in the proposed changes is the creation of a “reservation queue” that will be governed by the principle of “first-ready, first serve”, implying that projects with a higher state of readiness will be prioritised over a competing project with a lower state of readiness.
Business organisation Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) CEO Busi Mavuso says the organisation is calling for issues to be explored in the vein of public interest, following State-owned utility Eskom’s former CEO André de Ruyter’s “controversial” interview with e.tv’s Annika Larsen in which he implied that a Cabinet Minister was aware of corrupt activities at a high level. “There’s important work to be done. Our three key network industries are in varying degrees of distress. No one needs reminding how severe our electricity crisis is as Stage 6 loadshedding hit again last week but, if reforms aren’t effectively implemented in the other network industries the consequences will be just as severe,” she writes in her weekly newsletter.
The ANC has threatened to file criminal charges against former Eskom CEO André de Ruyter if he doesn’t report his allegations of corruption at the power utility, backed with evidence, to law enforcement agencies in seven days. The party said De Ruyter was bound by law because of his former position as the head of the power utility to report acts of corruption.
Stage 4 loadshedding will continue until 16:00 on Monday afternoon, Eskom confirmed. It will be followed by Stage 5 from 16:00 to 05:00 on Tuesday morning. Loadshedding will then be reduced to Stage 3 between 05:00 to 16:00 on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Stage 4 will be implemented during 16:00 to 05:00 on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The KwaZulu-Natal government is planning to establish a battery energy storage system (BESS) under power utility Eskom’s flagship BESS project, Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube said on February 24. In her State of the Province Address, she noted that the BESS would be based in Elandskop.
The request for proposals for the procurement of 513 MW of battery energy storage capacity will be released before the end of February, the National Energy Crisis Committee’s (NECOM’s) Rudi Dicks confirmed on Friday. All the necessary approvals had been secured from the National Treasury for the IPP Office to proceed with the tender, he reported.
Embattled State-owned utility Eskom has denied having implemented either Stage 7 or Stage 8 loadshedding during what it acknowledged to have been a “tough week”, during which it reported power cuts exceeding 7 000 MW over some evening peaks. Each stage of loadshedding typically equates to 1 000 MW.
The Mpumalanga Provincial Government is, in partnership with the Presidential Climate Commission, the Climate Investment Fund and the World Bank, exploring plans to diversify local economic activity to reduce its dependency on coal. Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane noted during her provincial State of the Province Address that the aim of the partnership was to ensure the re-skilling and upskilling of the most vulnerable in the labour force and to provide support for small businesses and …
Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe says that former Eskom CEO André de Ruyter “must not throw a stone in a bush and hope an animal will come out” – he must name the politicians he claimed were corrupt. Mantashe was briefing Parliament’s portfolio committee on mineral resources and energy on Friday. He was asked by MPs to respond to the claims by De Ruyter in a recent interview, in which it was alleged that “a top politician” was involved in corruption at Eskom.
Business is urging government and the appropriate State agencies to urgently investigate and take action regarding Eskom corruption, following the recent allegations made by former Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter. Business Unity South Africa (Busa) and Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) said the allegations bought into serious doubt the ability of Eskom to appropriately manage its resources, including substantial additional resources allocated in the recent Budget.
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