South Africa’s unwillingness to move from nuclear and coal power will lead to catastrophic climate change for the profit of a few, writes Sipho Kings.
M&G readers write in about who should head Eskom, and what really happened with the unearthing of a journal.
The treasury and energy departments in particular are gunning for former finance minister Trevor Manuel to head the cash-strapped power utility.
The National Energy Regulator has agreed to Eskom recouping costs of R7.8bn from its previous price period, exacerbating upcoming rate increases.
The power utility says load shedding may worsen this winter as it battles with electricity outages attributed to its antiquated power stations.
The power parastatal has employed external consultant Mike Rossouw to help solve its myriad problems.
Mike Rossouw is expected to introduce some much needed realism at Eskom, with a more customer-centric approach.
The national energy regulator says consumers will be considered when it reviews Eskom’s proposal for another electricity price hike.
Eskom has warned that its R7-billion profit will not be enough to meet its revenue shortfall over the next five years and keep the lights on.
New research shows emissions from Eskom’s coal-fired power stations are responsible for half the deaths related to air pollution in the province.
More than 600 people could perish every year from illnesses related to air pollution when all Eskom’s power plants come on stream.
Eskom has declared a power emergency as a result of severe constraints on the national power grid.
The power utility has asked industry to cut energy use and declared an emergency, noting load shedding as a virtual certainty.
The utility is looking to save a further 1000 megawatts through reduced use by both large and residential customers.
Ahead of winter, the power utility says it will continue with its maintenance strategy and will see a reduction in the maintenance schedule.
Eskom may not have enough power during peak hours for platinum mines in the Rustenburg area to resume operations when the strike is finally resolved.
Eskom has released two warnings within hours: switch off non-essential appliances or face load shedding; and prepare for another rate hike.
Business Unity South Africa has urged Eskom to let it help find ways to improve the power parastatal’s sustainability and avoid a tariff hike.
Residents are ailing, while the power utility resists retrofitting power stations to decrease emissions.
A broad package of solutions will be needed to boost SA’s power utility, says an Eskom senior general manager.
South Africa has recorded a trade deficit of R11.4-billion in March, outpacing market expectations of a R1.5-billion decline.
Eskom says the upgrades to Megawatt Park "are essential" following reports that the upgrades would cost the power utility R500-million.
Eskom is in trouble – with seemingly nowhere to turn. The utility is in a funding crisis but government will no longer foot the bill.
Despite the loss of a 600 megawatt unit at Duvha power station after a boiler incident, Eskom says it will not start load-shedding.
Air pollution is responsible for one in eight deaths worldwide, says the WHO, and is now regarded as the biggest environmental health risk.
The Nkangala municipality won’t allow Eskom’s Kriel power station to exceed its emissions cap. But this could be its only way to save power and money.
Medupi delays have led to the utility forking out nearly R2-billion in penalties to supplier Exxaro.
Eskom could ease its energy woes by setting up a proper procurement process for more cogeneration
Emissions obligations weigh as heavily on the state-owned power firm’s bottom line as its customers’ health and safety.
AfriForum claims that certain municipalities owe Eskom over R2.3-billion, which, according to it, "adds to the country’s electricity woes".
At first we were told unit one of Medupi was vital to Eskom’s capacity issues. But now government says its contribution would have been negligible.
Power utility Eskom has assured consumers that it does not expect further power cuts despite continuing strain on its supply system.