Cape Town - Eskom said at a media briefing on Friday that it is experiencing severe cash flow problems and a decision to implement rolling blackouts was painful.
The briefing was necessitated after unannounced load shedding across South Africa on Thursday caused chaos for many South Africans.
Late on Thursday, Eskom said electricity was restored to all areas, after the emergency had been lifted at 22:00.
The media briefing on the state of the nation's power situation as it happened...
14:33 -
Adriaan Kruger's open letter to Eskom
14:25 -
Eskom: Saving electricity reduces pressure on the grid and cuts your electricity bill and South Africa’s carbon emissions
Tips from Eskom to save electricity:
1. Use air-conditioning efficiently
-Set air-conditioning at 23 degrees
-Close windows and doors to optimize air-conditioning
-Switch off 30 minutes before leaving the office
2. Continue to switch off all geysers and pool pumps from 5pm to 9pm.
3. As we approach winter, use alternatives to electrical heating.
4. Switch off all non-essential lighting and appliances.
5. Respond to the Power Alert and Power Bulletin radio messages by switching off all appliances that are not being used.
14:23 -
From the Eskom media briefing today: We saw significant uptake on social media and we trended on twitter. We recorded a significant increase in social media shares of messaging across all platforms (130 million compared to daily trend of 1 million)
14:22 -
14:18 -
14:18 -
From the Eskom media briefing today:
14:13 -
On Friday morning, Johannesburg City Power issued a load shedding schedule as a precaution.
14:10 -
Electricity problems? Turn off the street lights at 14h00 #eskom #loadshedding pic.twitter.com/ZwlVp96BQ7
— Megan Kirby (@megzlk) March 7, 2014
14:09 -
Thanks to the support we received from SA. Its the patriotic efforts of all South Africans that enabled us to lift the emergency last night.
— Eskom Media Desk (@Eskom_MediaDesk) March 7, 2014
14:07 -
@News24 @Pieter_W_Kruger Municipalities? How many mouths could be fed with money #Eskom are wasting on economic losses of #loadshedding?
— Shoana Hutton (@ShoanLH) March 7, 2014
14:06 -
"If there are still any... robots not working or power cuts it's because of local suppliers." - Brian Dames according to a Sapa report.
14:02 -
So your gate motor burned out? No worries. Eskom apologised.
— Ex Unitate Vires (@ExUnitateVires) March 7, 2014
14:01 -
That's it from the Eskom media briefing... thank you for staying with us
14:01 -
Eskom: We are asking anyone who are not yet commercial but are operating to let us know.
14:01 -
Eskom: It might be possible that there are IPP’s who are prepared to come online earlier. Hopefully by May we will have clearer view of long term process.
13:58 -
Oscar just started again, but stay with us...
13:56 -
Dames: Load shedding was painful
13:56 -
Eskom: Performance of executives is not in relation to issues they have no control over. So executives should not be judged on that.
13:53 -
Eskom: Cash flow situation is severe.
13:53 -
Eskom: Load shedding should not be in our vocabulary – we should try not to go there again.
13:52 -
Johannesburg has opted for a 4 hour load shedding regime, but with shorter intervals.
13:51 -
Eskom: The about 200 municipalities, each with their own way of implementing load shedding, must be taken into account when determining when load shedding will take place in particular areas.
13:50 -
Eskom: We have had to prioritise. If the weather is going to continue being like this, we might be vulnerable.
13:49 -
#Eskom CEO Dames says he would be finishing his tenure at the end of March. Nobody has asked him to stay through (the power crisis).
— Ellis Mnyandu (@Ellis_Mnyandu) March 7, 2014
13:48 -
Brian Dames: We have had an emergency declared in November, February and now, so it is not like it happens every day. We try to minimise impact on economy.
13:48 -
Brian Dames: We would have to spend a lot of money to comply with the air quality control act. We have not taken money away from maintenance. We have actually put more money towards maintenance.
13:47 -
Brian Dames: We have to keep on looking at how to improve our system.
13:47 -
And the problem is ... weather or money?
13:46 -
Brian Dames: We have a cash issue regarding getting all our coal stockpiles covered. And on top of that SA is experiencing more and more wet weather.
13:45 -
Eskom chair: Even if we have a short list of candidates, the board has to take its time. It certainly is the most important decision this board has had to take.
13:45 -
Eskom chair: Process to find CEO to replace Brian Dames is underway.
13:44 -
Brian Dames on his retirement: I will be finishing at end of March.
13:42 -
#Eskom reported a R12.2 billion profit in December last year. Its a disgrace that we are load-shedding because of wet coal.
— Ray Hartley (@hartleyr) March 6, 2014
13:42 -
Journalists asking more questions...
13:40 -
We call on all customers to cut electricity wastage. If this is done, we can manage the situation – Dames #Eskom
— CNBC Africa (@cnbcafrica) March 7, 2014
13:39 -
Eskom: We are managing our maintenance backlog as we go along. We are performing a lot of maintenance at the moment.
13:37 -
News user Leah Knott's comment on Eskom's statement: How long it takes for coal to dry depends on moisture content and the quality of the coal.
"Don’t they have experts who know what the moisture content is and don’t they know the quality of the coal they buy? Sounds like bad management to me... and very vague... like a developer telling a new home buyer 'we’re not sure if your wall will stand, depends on the brick quality' as if they don’t know.
13:37 -
Eskom: Some units are coming back on grid at the moment.
13:36 -
The load shedding announced on Thursday morning had little influence on the market, despite the disruption it can cause in the mining and manufacturing sectors. The market’s reaction to the energy crisis depends on how long outages will continue.
13:36 -
Eskom: Our biggest challenges with maintenance are always quantity and emergency scope when we open it up.
13:35 -
Eskom is load shedding but all the street lights are on? What is going on??? @WitnessKZN #eskom #ridiculous #pmb pic.twitter.com/2QlgZXIN5D
— Ray J (@MTB_Ray) March 7, 2014
13:34 -
Question from News24 user Richard:
Are there issues of coal quality? I have heard that low grade coal previously used by Eskom is now being exported overseas (India), leaving Eskom with more coal dust than coal. Is this true? If so, does this not lead to both less efficient power output and increased greenhouses gases?
13:33 -
Eskom: Sometimes even if the coal stockpile is dry, when you handle it in the rain, that impacts.
13:33 -
Eskom: At one of the power plants we had a combination of the impact of a shift change at the mine and the stockpiles underground not being full capacity.
13:31 -
Question and answer from News24 user:
Please explain how you can justify providing poor service delivery and charging whatever you like?
Oh yes, I forgot that's how a monopoly works. Would be nice if there were some decent options so we didn't have to rely solely on Eskom!
13:31 -
Eskom: If we import coal, regardless of where it comes from, we must make sure we cover that coal.
13:29 -
No power outages today. I hope you've all apologised to #Eskom for being so mean yesterday.
— Jonathan Meyer (@jonathangmeyer) March 7, 2014
13:29 -
Power has been restored in all areas. #Eskom thanks you for assisting with stabilising the power system.
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) March 6, 2014
13:28 -
From Adriaan's open letter: We used to believe that you had very good plans to develop the electricity network and the skills to execute these plans. We understand that it is difficult to deal with politicians, which need to ratify all your decisions.
13:27 -
From Adriaan's open letter: It is unacceptable to repeat your mantra, time after time, that “we are all in this together” and “we all have a role to play” or “it is everybody in SA’s responsibility to reduce power consumption”.
13:25 -
More questions coming in : Not sure if there will be enoug time for Eskom to answer, if not we'll try to get answers after the briefing.
13:24 -
Answer to user question: Can Eskom not built sufficient storage places for their coal, surely we cannot every time when it rains deal with the same problem?
Eskom answer:
Millions of tonnes of coal stockpiles we are talking about –
you are talking about storing 45 days of coal. We do have storage facilities.
13:24 -
Answer to Fin24 question on Koeberg shut down: We don’t expect any major impact on W Cape power system. It is just for maintenance.
13:23 -
Certainly for the next few years the situation will remain the same since SA needs to get a substantial addition online.
13:22 -
Question from News24 user Mark Furness:
Why
can we not expedite the wind farm process? When
I drove to PE the other day I saw a beautiful wind farm and thought to myself
here in Mossel Bay and the South Cape we a wind Mecca, why not speed up the
process to get the farms down here.
Surly
something can be done to speed up the process and smart product?
I
know it has been spoken about over the last few year, but more action less
talk?
13:22 -
Certainly what happened on Thursday would have a different impact on GDP than a normal emergency situation - Eskom
13:21 -
We have not done studies about the impact on GDP growth - Eskom
13:21 -
Thursday morning before 08:00am we had used up all our emergency contract power - Eskom
13:21 -
From Adriaan's letter: You have had 90 years of experience – and we expect better service after 90 years.
13:19 -
Adriaan Kruger has written an open letter to Eskom... we will publish in full later.
13:17 -
"The risk of emergency conditions developing remains with us until March and into April": Eskom CE Brian Dames
— Eskom Media Desk (@Eskom_MediaDesk) March 7, 2014
13:16 -
@ News24 user that asked the question: We've asked Eskom about the rain and coal...
13:15 -
... Priorities
Eskom when will this loadshedding nonsense stop I wanna cut my hair and we both know its a risk to do that at this time
— Ichigo kurosaki (@Klumsayz) March 7, 2014
13:15 -
When did Eskom and Oscar become equal? Priorities...
13:13 -
#OscarTrial #SouthAfrica One thing is for sure. No one believes #Eskom and #OscarPistorius anymore.
— Thato Mmereki (@thatommereki) March 7, 2014
13:13 -
How long it takes for coal to dry depends on moisture content and the quality of the coal.
13:13 -
As long as it is technically safe, Eskom has been connecting renewable IPP’s earlier – Eskom discussion panel
13:12 -
Question from a News24 user:
Can Eskom not built sufficient storage places for their coal, surely we cannot every time when it rains deal with the same problem?
13:11 -
Lot of factors must be looked at regarding issue of competition in the energy sector – Eskom discussion panel
13:07 -
#Eskom how will South Africans pay 8% more for electricity we aren't receiving? Rates go up, still poor service. pic.twitter.com/SE2X9u7p7M
— magdel du randt (@Maggie_dR) March 7, 2014
13:07 -
#Eskom making it sound like rain and winter are new phenomena
— Pierre (@pierrepret22) March 7, 2014
13:05 -
The shift change at the coal mine – about 18:00 or 19:00 on Wednesday evening – the output decreased - Eskom
13:05 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: From Eskom’s perspective we need certainty from a policy and legislative perspective.
13:04 -
Journalists can now ask questions to Brian Dames and a panel of other Eskom members.
Anything you'd like us to ask?
13:03 -
Can somebody please tell Eskom? We don't want their coal to get wet again - Flood warning issued for parts of SA http://t.co/PZanukpQ2p
— Greg Wagner (@GregWGN) March 7, 2014
13:02 -
“@JacquesMaree73: For future reference, #Eskom. this is how you load shed: pic.twitter.com/Hye5n7geg7” RT
— Lara (@KatzLara) March 7, 2014
13:01 -
Q&A time
13:00 -
#Eskom Bottom Line: We don't have enough power capacity in times of emergency. It's a fact. Get used to it. Stop moaning. Save electricity.
— Nickolaus Bauer (@NICKolausBAUER) March 7, 2014
12:59 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: We want to thank our customers for their help in reducing consumption.
12:59 -
Friendly reminder that tariffs will go up by 8% on 1 April.
12:58 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: It is very important to try and keep our current tariffs as low as possible.
12:58 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: Alone Eskom cannot do it.
12:58 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: We call on all customers, municipalities, commercial sector to cut waste please. They can make a significant contribution.
12:57 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: The role of the media is important in informing the public about the load shedding schedules.
Thanks again then for reconnecting us!
12:57 -
We're been reconnected, thank you Eskom or is it Telkom...
12:56 -
@Jacanews 13: #Eskom talks #loadshedding and the current ageing fleet & #OscarPistorius trial adjourns twice as ex-girlfriend breaks down
— Jacaranda Newsteam (@JacaNews) March 7, 2014
12:55 -
Eskom just disconnected us from the media briefing, will try to link up again.
12:55 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: We always try to make sure the load schedules are fair.
12:54 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: Customers who are supplied by municipalities must check with those municipalities about load shedding schedules and not on the Eskom website.
12:54 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: In winter we have the peak stages between 5 and 9.
12:53 -
Eskom outages a wake-up call for hospitals
12:52 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: We do take into account critical loads – for instance at hospitals – but sometimes it is necessary that hospitals, for instance have emergency generators in case of need.
12:52 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: We always first ask our industrial customers to implement savings.
12:51 -
We’re making progress with Medupi and Kusile, the technical issues are being addressed – Dames #Eskom
— CNBC Africa (@cnbcafrica) March 7, 2014
12:51 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: We can declare a power system emergency if need be.
12:50 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: Load shedding is part of the problem with the load.
12:50 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: In real time we have to make sure we can match supply and demand.
12:50 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: We are making progress with building the new power plants like Medupi.
12:49 -
#Eskom is committed to use IPP, most contracts could not be concluded due to high price expectations
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) March 7, 2014
12:49 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: Eskom fully supports IPP’s
12:48 -
Dames : Planning is consistently in the red which makes us extremely vulnerable to any unforeseen event. #sabcnews #Eskom
— Melini Moses (@melinimoses) March 7, 2014
12:48 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: About 19 green energy projects currently in process.
Quick translation: Why does Tshwane have load shedding?
12:46 -
@Beeld_Nuus @elisetempelhoff #Eskom. Hoekom het @CityTshwane dan beurtkrag??
— Carl Eicker (@carleicker) March 7, 2014
12:46 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: In second week of March Koeberg is coming down partly for maintenance.
12:45 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: We are therefore calling on our customers to safe energy.
12:45 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: Any unforeseen event will put our system at risk.
12:45 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: Prognosis for next 2 weeks: The rains will continue to early part of next week.
12:44 -
"@News24: Eskom: 45 days of coal supply left throughout system >>> So in 45 days we'll be back in the dark ages??? @GarethCliff @DJFreshSA
— Wayne G (@MrGads2) March 7, 2014
12:44 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: Over last week, right up to evening of Wednesday supply was fine.
12:43 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: Last year the power demand was significantly lower than last year.
12:42 -
Dames: using OCGT at great expense, up to 16 times more than power stations #eskom
— Ernest Wolmarans (@ernothejourno) March 7, 2014
12:42 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: We have to balance the money and the outcome in dealing with challenges.
12:41 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: It would be too expensive to look at covering all the coal stockpiles. And spraying coal, would mean it would just get wet again when it is transported in rain.
12:41 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: After 2008 we keep 5 days of coal stockpiles available apart from the normal stockpiles, but we used it too due to the continuous rain.
12:40 -
You can follow Oscar case here:
12:40 -
@StephenGrootes Don't cross live to Eskom. We already heard the "wet coal" lie. Stick to Oscar Case. ??
— Xolani (@F60Xolani) March 7, 2014
12:39 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: Since 2008 we have implemented measures to deal with wet coal.
12:39 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: The coal system had to be unblocked underground at the plants which had to be shut down. Bunkers are not full yet – maybe 60% to 70% - but we hope to full it completely over the weekend.
12:38 -
CEO Dames: By 5am on 6 March, a lot of power had been lost and this led to emergency being declared on the system #Eskom
— SA Gov News (@SAgovnews) March 7, 2014
12:37 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: A shift change over at one of the power plants also made an impact, together with the batch of wet coal received.
12:37 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: Situation with wet coal, is that it clogs up conveyors etc
12:36 -
Dames: stations are old, many breakdowns, boiler tube leaks, rainfall in mpumulanga major slurry, unable to feed to stations there #eskom
— Ernest Wolmarans (@ernothejourno) March 7, 2014
12:35 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: Of course this is not just about the age of a plant, but also about the work we have to do to maintain.
12:35 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: Of course this also impacted on some of South Africa’s neighbours like Botswana.
12:34 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: To prevent a total collapse we had to have stage three load shedding – 20% reduction – in order to control demand and supply.
12:33 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames - Wednesday evening our systems were stable.
— Orrin Singh (@orrin417) March 7, 2014
12:33 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: By 08:00am on Thursday we were short 3 000 MW.
12:33 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: We had 3 320 MW lost by 5:00am on Thursday and very limited generation available from emergency reserves.
12:32 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: When one of the power stations received a batch of very wet coal, it really created a position where the station had to stop.
12:32 -
#Eskom has response system in place to deal with #LoadShedding - Brian Dames, @Eskom_SA CEO.
— Earl September (@earlseptember) March 7, 2014
12:31 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: When we met the peak on evening of Wednesday, we used only small amount of our emergency capacity. But in the early hours of Thursday we lost 4 units.
12:31 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: We have massive amounts of coal stockpiles and yes the rain affected us and that resulted in poor coal quality and that resulted in us having losses.
12:31 -
@SAgovnews Oh really now - with #Eskom rising prices - we as #SouthAfrica citizens must share the responsibility of your screwups?
— Nav Chan (@chan_Nav) March 7, 2014
12:30 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: The maintenance we do in summer has an impact too.
12:29 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: We have 45 days of coal supply throughout our system, and we have clear procedures in place on how to deal with wet coal.
12:29 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: We exercise our readiness regularly for emergencies, in terms of our power system – that is what is different to 2008.
12:28 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: Every action we take is in terms of our regulations.
12:28 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: There is a team, an emergency command centre, which works to find solutions.
12:28 -
We are operating an ‘old fleet’ and the system is constrained – Dames #Eskom
— CNBC Africa (@cnbcafrica) March 7, 2014
12:27 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: We can point fingers at everybody, but it remains important for all South Africans to save energy.
12:26 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: If in 1998 Medupi was built at that time, that is what we would have needed today.
12:26 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: This will be the situation through winter and beyond.
12:25 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: There are many good people out there – from power stations to national control who work very hard and it is important that South Africans support them.
12:25 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: There are two parts to solving crisis – what Eskom must do and what others must do. I ask that people support Eskom, please.
12:25 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: We are committed to early warnings to our customers
12:24 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: It will take another 10 years to get out of the energy crisis unless efforts are made to speed up solutions.
12:24 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: There is no-one in South Africa to start up the system if it collapses totally.
12:23 -
#Eskom Dames "we want to be transparent with South Africans." CM pic.twitter.com/NF0K7dJ3ek
— POWER987 News (@POWER987News) March 7, 2014
12:23 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: We have to protect our electricity system from a total blackout.
12:23 -
#ESKOM Brian Dames starts to speak and he apologises to the nation#sabcnews
— Liabo Setho (@LiaboSetho) March 7, 2014
12:22 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: There is no loadshedding currently
12:22 -
Our commitment has been to be transparent with the #SouthAfrican public – Brian Dames, #Eskom CEO
— CNBC Africa (@cnbcafrica) March 7, 2014
12:22 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: I have not slept in my bed for 2 days
12:21 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: This brings home the importance of energy in SA and the importance of Eskom in the lives of all South Africans. We understand that and we are working extremely hard to avoid the situation that happened on Thursday.
12:21 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames: Our commitment is to be absolutely transparent with the SA public
12:20 -
#Eskom gives the assurance that it will do everything to avoid power cuts.
ML
— Mia Lindeque (@MiaLindeque) March 7, 2014
12:20 -
Eskom chair thanks the CEO Brian Dames and his team for the lot they have endured over the last few days “while we were all at home with our families” to make sure everyone has a sustained electricity system – Eskom chair
12:19 -
@Fin24: Brian Dames is attending Eskom briefing on electricity emergency
— Mandi Smallhorne (@rainbowinsid) March 7, 2014
12:19 -
We call once again on all South Africans to minimise the risk of load shedding. We all have a role to play to conserve the energy we so dearly need in SA – Eskom chair
12:19 -
#Eskom Chairman Zola Tsotsi, CEO Brian Dames joined by the Power Utility's leadership team. CM pic.twitter.com/uur1WDFWSJ
— POWER987 News (@POWER987News) March 7, 2014
12:18 -
We will continue to do everything possible to avoid load shedding – Eskom chair
12:18 -
The situation will be with us for some time due to the vulnerability of our system – Eskom chair
12:18 -
#Eskom says decision to start loadshedding wasn't taken lightly. #sabcnews
— Melini Moses (@melinimoses) March 7, 2014
12:17 -
Load shedding is done as a last resort to avoid a total blackout which could have a huge impact on the economy – Eskom chair
12:17 -
We recognised that our customers are frustrated – especially about load shedding schedules.
12:17 -
#Eskom Full senior management team - led by outgoing CEO Brian Dames - in attendance @eNCAnews
— Nickolaus Bauer (@NICKolausBAUER) March 7, 2014
12:16 -
Like a human body, if something is wrong with the immune system, the body cannot recover. Eskom’s case, we must make sure we have enough to supply the system. – Eskom chair
12:16 -
This week it was about wet coal, though – Eskom chairperson
12:16 -
Impression might have been created that load shedding was mainly about wet coal, but it was also about a tight system.
12:15 -
#Eskom Chairperson Zola Tsotsi leads the charge. Says yesterday's #loadshedding isnt just about wet coal. While system very tight @eNCAnews
— Nickolaus Bauer (@NICKolausBAUER) March 7, 2014
12:14 -
Decision for load shedding for first time since 2008 was not taken lightly – Eskom chairperson
12:13 -
Eskom CEO Brian Dames cut short an overseas trip to be at the media briefing.
12:08 -
Eskom bosses must pay back bonuses: DA http://t.co/DEdDAQwE3w
— TechNews SouthAfrica (@MyTechZA) March 7, 2014
Appreciating the media coming to the meeting Eskom says driving through rain and potholes you still decided to come – Eskom member tells media.
12:08 -
We will always do our best to ensure we engage with media, share ideas and keep the media informed - Eskom
12:07 -
Eskom explains emergency procedures at Megawath Park in case
there is an emergency during the media briefing.
Cape Town - Unannounced load shedding across South Africa on Thursday has caused chaos for many South Africans.
Late on Thursday Eskom said electricity was restored to all areas, after the emergency had been lifted at 22:00.
Eskom said the rolling blackouts was mainly due to torrential rain in Mpumalanga, which had drenched coal supplies sitting outside power stations.
More thunderstorms have been predicted for Mpumalanga until at least the middle of next week.
On Friday, Eskom gave a media briefing on the state of the nation's power situation.