Another week of Eskom woes

[View in browser]( [Mail & Guardian]( M&G Mornings | Wed 08 Nov   Eskom is once again in the news and once again it’s not good news. Last week the power utility released its results for the 2022-23 financial year and noted that its “net debt was up by 2% from R389 billion in 2022 to R399 billion as at the end March 2023”. It was Eskom’s biggest financial loss to date. This time, the power utility is in the news for other reasons. First, Lizeka Tandwa [discusses]( how the ANC has questioned why Eskom has not been able to accept the offer of 200 megawatts from Namibia and Mozambique. The article details how Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa is frustrated by his lack of power over the Eskom board because the power from the two countries is stuck in red tape. This was confirmed by his spokesperson, as well as that of Eskom. And apparently the ANC national working committee is unhappy about the load-shedding deadline. Ramokgopa says it will be over by the end of year but Eskom’s acting board chairperson, Mteto Nyathi, says it will be in 24 months. Emsie Ferreira [reported]( that Eskom’s acting chief executive, Calib Cassim, told parliament’s standing committee on public accounts that the utility is determined to limit load-shedding to stage four this summer. The aim is to have no load-shedding during the day. Cassim was full of praise for Eskom and how it managed load-shedding during October. He also said the utility needs an additional 4 000MW to 6 000MW to stabilise the power system by unlocking the grid. Cassim said the utility is determined to fix the grid because additional renewable energy could not be added. He had hoped that Eskom could install 14 000km of transmission lines and 8 000km of distribution line to alleviate some of the power crisis. Check out the M&G’s [environmental newsletter]( the Green Guardian, which goes out today. Please sign up for climate and environment news as well as a fun weekly quiz. Ozayr Patel | Climate & Environment Editor [@Ozayr8]( ADVERTISEMENT [ANC committee calls out Eskom for blocking 200 megawatts from Namibia, Mozambique]( Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgop has asked for more powers over Eskom board during national working committee meeting [// Read more]( [Calib Cassim: Eskom aims to cap load-shedding at stage four]( The acting chief executive said it was imperative to bridge the gap of 4000 to 6000 megawatts of dispatchable capacity [// Read more]( [Senzo Meyiwa trial: Police officer says he drove around with accused man to relieve boredom in his cell]( Defence advocate Thulani Mngomezulu said he client was booked out for so many hours to be tortured and assaulted [// Read more]( ADVERTISEMENT Recommended Reads [African Growth and Opportunity Act: Early extension or substantive improvements?]( There is good and bad news – strong bipartisan support for improving Agoa and little consensus on what improvements should be made to the Act [// Read more]( [Israel v Gaza: Where is Biden?]( The volatile nature of the conflict takes out any latitude for inaction from the American president [// Read more]( [Transnet has been decimated]( State-owned enterprises under the leadership of the ANC have descended into a state of chaos [// Read more]( [Reforms are not a silver bullet for the energy crisis]( It is imperative that South Africa explore alternatives beyond privatisation [// Read more]( [Meet the 2024 Bird of the Year]( Bateleur, with its distinctive plumage and graceful flight pattern, is under threat [// Read more]( [Share]( [Share]( [Tweet]( [Tweet]( [Forward]( [Forward]( This email was sent to {EMAIL} [why did I get this?]( [unsubscribe from this list]( [update subscription preferences]( The Mail & Guardian · The Metal Box · Braamfontein · Johannesburg, GP 2001 · South Africa