The country’s struggling power utility announced that it will return to the fourth phase of load shedding starting Friday morning. (January 27, 2023). The parastatal did not give a reason for the change of stage, other than a commitment to update the state when there are developments.
Load shedding whiplash
Just two days ago, the prince of darkness in the powerless parastatal announced that the 4th and 5th stages will be held from 5am on Thursday to Sunday evening.
The higher stages are due to damage at Camden, Kendal, Lethabo and Majuba power stations earlier this week.
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South Africans are left with the bleak reality that rolling blackouts are now a part of our existence, with permanent loads in stages 2 and 3 set to take place on the ‘good days’ over the next two years.
South Africa’s old coal plant
The country gets about 80% of its generation capacity from coal, and the government’s failure to take care of its aging infrastructure over the past two decades means that old stations are falling apart faster than they can be repaired.
During a media conference this week, Eskom chairman Mpho Makwana reiterated the risks and unreliability of the country’s coal plants, warning against sudden changes in the load shedding schedule according to the system’s functionality.
Only energy transitions
While South Africa’s problems are compounded by load shedding, efforts are underway to shift to renewable energy.
Before being appointed to the Eskom board last year, Makwana warned against using green energy as it is the only major electricity producer in southern Africa.
“There are government programs and policies that Eskom must implement. But as we implement these policies, we must be practical to strive for a healthy energy mix. We need to learn from the mistakes that other economies have made. “
Makwana also emphasized the importance of ‘coal-based cities’ and the economic value chain they support.
“If we think about the town of Ogies in Mpumalanga, if we – overnight – remove that town’s role as a coal town, what will the people of that town do?”
Eskom has many problems
Parastatals also experience corruption in major factories, organized crime syndicates targeting coal trucks and sewerage problems with skilled workers who would otherwise find better opportunities abroad, or through retrenchment.
In addition, Eskom’s complicated financial situation is affecting its ability to buy solar to run power plants.
If that wasn’t enough, the recent decision by the US to suspend the pact that allowed South Africa to buy nuclear fuel for the Koeberg flagship station, has been put on hold.
The Agreement on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy between the US and South Africa expires on December 4.
Compiled by Narissa Subramoney
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