Eskom to prioritise stabilising the grid

Eskom will need an additional 4 000 to 6 000 megawatts (MW) of energy in order to effectively carry out maintenance of its ailing power plants without having to resort to load shedding, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan told a plenary of in the National Assembly.

“Clearly it is our priority as government and certainly within my portfolio and more importantly of the board and of the management to ensure we prioritise stability within the energy system,” he said.

“But the reality is that Eskom requires a space of about 4 000 to 6 000MW of additional energy so that the necessary maintenance can be undertaken.

“It is also a well-established fact ... that there has been neglect on the maintenance side for many years, particularly during the state capture period, in order to ensure that ‘the lights stay on’. That is the legacy that we have to now overcome,” he said.

As Eskom announced stage 2 load shedding would continue until Monday, Gordhan said there would be stability in the power grid in the next year or so, but this 4 000 to 6 000MW “is our priority”.

Chief Justice Raymond Zondo’s latest instalment of his state capture report found Eskom entered into irregular contracts worth R14.7 billion.

“The time has now come for the law enforcement agencies not only to show their teeth, but to use their teeth,” he said in answer to a question by African Christian Democratic Party MP Steve Swart.

“And ensure that ... these affected and listed people ... account for the manner in which they have done a disservice to this country and find themselves appropriate and orange overalls as well.”

Eskom and its board have lodged a claim of R3 billion against former directors on the Eskom board during the state capture period and the management of that time, he said.