insert_link Business / Economics South Africa’s electricity crisis: what political parties say in their election manifestos about solving it By Hartmut Winkler, University of Johannesburg South Africa is in the middle of a deep electricity crisis. In 2023 the public, many of whom are voters, experienced the worst loadshedding to date, losing power for an average of five hours a day. The power shortages were largely due to excessive breakdowns in the country’s coal power plant fleet, which generates over 80% of South Africa’s electricity, combined […] today28 March, 2024
insert_link South Africa Eskom Announces Daytime Load-Shedding Reprieve Amidst Improved Emergency Reserves In a recent statement, Eskom has confirmed its decision to prolong the suspension of daytime load-shedding, citing the recovery of emergency generation reserves and the reintegration of three generating units. The suspension will be effective from 5:00 AM until 4:00 PM, after which stage two load-shedding will be implemented. This operational rhythm is set to persist until further notice. Eskom further anticipates the return of an additional 3,330 megawatts of […] today11 March, 2024
insert_link South Africa Eskom Enforces Stage Four Load-Shedding Due to Power Station Unit Loss Eskom announces the implementation of stage four load-shedding from 4 a.m. until further notice. The decision follows the loss of five generating units at the Kendal power station and a generating unit at the Duvha power station in Mpumalanga. Eskom assures that it will actively monitor the power system and communicate any significant changes to the grid promptly. today22 February, 2024
insert_link South Africa South African Finance Minister Acknowledges Load-Shedding Impact, Advocates Energy Sector Reforms in Budget SA Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana addresses the critical issue of load-shedding, recognizing its widespread impact on South Africans, disrupting production, operations, and livelihoods. During the delivery of the last budget of the 6th administration, Godongwana emphasizes the need for energy sector reforms to ensure long-term energy security. today22 February, 2024
insert_link South Africa Load shedding & Transnet caused huge losses – SA Budget 2024 National Treasury plans to draw down from a special R500bn account for the first time to reduce debt and associated servicing costs over the next three years, according to the 2024 budget delivered by the finance minister on Wednesday February 21 2024. today21 February, 2024
insert_link South Africa Eskom Implements Daytime Load-Shedding, Raises Stage in Evenings Eskom announces the suspension of load-shedding during the day, from 5 AM to 4 PM, followed by the implementation of stage two load-shedding from 4 PM to 5 AM. This schedule will continue until further notice. The decision, according to Eskom's spokesperson Daphne Mokwena, is driven by the need to replenish emergency reserves for the week, even though the available generation capacity has been sustained. today19 February, 2024
insert_link South Africa SA President Ramaphosa Highlights Progress in Tackling South Africa’s Long-Standing Electricity Crisis South African President Cyril Ramaphosa asserts that the government is achieving tangible advancements in resolving the 15-year-long electricity crisis. He points to enhanced maintenance at Eskom plants, resulting in damaged units returning to service ahead of schedule. In response to the state of the nation address in Parliament, Ramaphosa notes a significant uptick in rooftop solar installations by businesses and households, supported by government incentives. today16 February, 2024
insert_link South Africa DA Holds President Ramaphosa Responsible for Soldiers’ Deaths in DRC The Democratic Alliance in South Africa attributes the deaths of two South African Defence Force soldiers in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, to President Cyril Ramaphosa. DA's national spokesperson for Defence and Military Veterans, Kobus Marais, argues that Ramaphosa was warned against deploying additional troops due to inadequate capacity to combat the M23 rebels. Marais urges Parliament to intervene and prevent further loss of life. today16 February, 2024
insert_link South Africa Eskom Implements Daily Rotation of Stages 3 and 4 Load-Shedding to Address Power Grid Challenges Eskom has introduced a daily rotation between stages three and four load-shedding until further notice to address ongoing challenges and stabilize the power grid. The utility's efforts to restore generating units provide temporary relief, with stage three load-shedding from 5 AM to 4 PM, followed by stage four each day. Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena encourages the public to actively contribute to electricity conservation during these challenging times as the utility […] today13 February, 2024
