Anonymous ID: 72024b May 4, 2023, 2:06 p.m. No.18797342   🗄️.is 🔗kun

“Winter load shedding warning: From bad to worse – right back to bad”

 

https://businesstech.co.za/news/energy/684977/winter-load-shedding-warning-from-bad-to-worse-right-back-to-bad/

4 May 2023

 

South Africa has been warned that winter load shedding is likely to be the worst on record – but load shedding won’t magically disappear once the worst is over, and Eskom’s resources are wearing thin.

 

As winter approaches, energy experts have warned that severe load shedding could hit new highs.

 

In winter, the daily peak electricity consumption increases from an average of 32,000MW in summer to 36,000MW. This is due to the extended use of electrical heating devices, lights, and geysers.

 

Researchers and analysts estimate that the power shortage during mid-winter will be 2,000MW more than in 2022. Therefore, there may be power outages of up to 8,000MW – the equivalent of stage 8 load shedding – on some days.

 

Others have given an even more bleak outlook, noting that demand could push up as high as 37,000MW, while Eskom is currently struggling to consistently generate 27,000MW, leaving a 10,000MW (stage 10) hole to be filled by load shedding.

 

According to the Democratic Alliance, the electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has suggested that one of the immediate proposals to stave off load shedding in the near-term is to use open-cycle gas turbines (OCGT) to supplement generating capacity from Eskom.

 

However, OCGTs are typically used as a temporary solution during maintenance or breakdowns and when there are supply issues from Eskom, the DA said. They are not intended to be a permanent solution.

 

This line of argument has also been repeated by energy regulator Nersa, which has limited Eskom’s diesel budget for energy generation for this exact reason.

 

The DA noted that to keep load shedding at a manageable level during the winter months, Eskom would need to use its entire proposed diesel budget for the financial year within six months – costing roughly R30 billion.

 

“When pressed on how Eskom would source more funds for diesel for the balance of the financial year, (Ramokgopa) suggested that a portion of the funds generated through the 18.65% electricity tariff increase could be used to fund diesel purchases,” said the DA.

 

“While it seems a feasible solution, it is deeply concerning that the tariff increase, which should be used for the upgrading and development of electricity infrastructure, would be used to buy diesel.”

 

From worse to bad

 

South Africa is currently gripped by stage 6 load shedding, with breakdowns remaining persistently high. As Eskom brings generating units back to services, those that have been carrying the load in the interim break down.

 

The DA added that sourcing funds for diesel after the winter ‘burning frenzy’ is another huge issue – and the utility will likely be asking for more money. This is on top of the more than R250 billion debt takeover from National Treasury, and billions more expected to paid over in debt relief for municipalities.

 

“While it is of some comfort that the minister is alert to and focused on the increased demand during winter – there are other seasons in a year,” the party said.

 

“We are currently in autumn, and load-shedding is lurching between stages, hitting stage 6 with regular monotony. It doesn’t help to limit the stages in winter only to be unable to mitigate for spring and summer, especially when we are looking at a depleted budget and limitations on the ability of the OCGTs to burn large quantities of diesel.

 

The minister has faced backlash from multiple angles, with many noting that his overall energy plan is nothing new – OCGTs have often already been used when capacity is low.

 

Hugo Pienaar, chief economist at the Bureau for Economic Research (BER) at Stellenbosch University, said that the interventions proposed by Ramokgopa are not new and have been ongoing for years. He expressed frustration at the suggestions being presented as novel.

Anonymous ID: 72024b May 4, 2023, 2:11 p.m. No.18797359   🗄️.is 🔗kun   >>7363

>>18778557

 

>>18668622 Eskom and Water Crisis Bun Part One

>>18777739 Final Eskom and Water Crisis Bun Part Two

 

“Andre de Ruyter to be served court papers in Germany: report” – 1 of 2

 

https://businesstech.co.za/news/energy/685075/

4 May 2023

 

The Gauteng High Court has reportedly given the ANC the right to serve papers relating to its defamation claim against former Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter – in Germany.

 

According to News24 [https://www.news24.com/fin24/economy/anc-to-serve-papers-on-de-ruyter-in-germany-20230504], the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has given the governing party an “edictal citation”, allowing it to serve court papers in a foreign country.

 

An authorised official under German law will serve the papers to de Ruyter.

 

De Ruyter went to ground following an explosive interview with eNCA [https://businesstech.co.za/news/energy/666921/de-ruyter-strikes-back-blows-the-lid-on-anc-corruption-political-interference-and-worse-load-shedding-this-winter/] where he made explosive claims of entrenched corruption at Eskom, perpetrated by the ANC.

 

He alleged that a “high-ranking politician” was directly involved in corruption, and when he reported this to a “senior minister”, the minister in question alluded to being aware of the activity.

 

The former CEO’s claims made headlines, with opposition parties and South Africans at large speculating on the identities of the politicians mentioned and demanding that de Ruyter name them.

 

The ANC denied the allegations, and said that de Ruyter had to report the matter to the authorities, open a case with the SAPS, and retract his statements pertaining to the party or face legal action.

 

However, de Ruyter was nowhere to be seen following the interview, and the ANC struggled to locate him to serve him court papers.

 

While de Ruyter did finally make an appearance to give his statements to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts in April, his presence was virtual, raising questions as to where he was based.

 

The former CEO only gave vague indications during his interview with ENCA that it might be in the best interests of his and his family’s safety that he leave the country.

 

Deep trouble

 

During his presentation to Scopa, de Ruyter said that his life was not currently under threat, and that he had not received any new threats since his alleged poisoning at the end of 2022.

 

However, the former Eskom executive is in high demand, with many parties seeking answers to the various claims he has made.

 

According to News24 investigations, de Ruyter’s claims appear to be based on several intelligence reports that were commissioned by the CEO, which contained some outlandish allegations with little to no evidence to back them up.

 

Not only is de Ruyter on the hook for not repeating those allegations on a very public platform – and naming the ANC in them – but also for the potentially illegal nature of the private investigation from which they were sourced.

 

As reported by City Press [https://www.news24.com/citypress/news/eskom-secrets-disturb-authorities-20230429], parliament, the State Security Agency (SSA) and the Public Enterprise’s department want to know how unvetted operatives were given unrestrained access to sensitive information at Eskom during the investigations, while the authorised agencies were given no information.

 

Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) member Sakhumzi Moyo also previously said that the investigation could pose a risk to Eskom as de Ruyter was also not properly vetted.

Anonymous ID: 72024b May 4, 2023, 2:11 p.m. No.18797363   🗄️.is 🔗kun

>>18797359

 

“Andre de Ruyter to be served court papers in Germany: report” – 2 of 2

 

https://businesstech.co.za/news/energy/685075/

4 May 2023

 

Answers coming soon?

 

Speaking to Scopa, de Ruyter was questioned over the senior minister and high-ranking politician he alleged were aware of the entrenched corruption at Eskom.

 

However, he remained tight-lipped and refused to name names, citing security and litigation risks. He directed Scopa to ask Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan, as he was best suited to answer the committee’s questions.

 

Gordhan is currently in China trying to solve ongoing issues relating to rail contracts but will be invited to appear before Scopa after his trip.

 

Moreover, the security advisor to President Cyril Ramaphosa, Dr Sydney Mufamadi – also named by de Ruyter as someone who can name specific politicians – is also expected to appear before Scopa.

 

“The committee plans to meet these cited parties to get more information on the allegations made by Mr de Ruyter. Mr de Ruyter has told SCOPA to contact the HAWKS, Mr Gordhan and Dr Mufamadi for further details on the allegations that he made in the eNCA interview,” the committee said.

 

“He indicated that he reported the identity of a high-ranking politician as well as individuals he referred to in his interview as allegedly involved in criminal activities in Eskom to Mr Gordhan, Dr Mufamadi and the HAWKS.”