Share

Eskom woes affect all - Sacci

Johannesburg - The potential impacts that load shedding will have on business, business confidence and consumers alike is inestimable, The SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) president Vusi Khumalo said in a statement on Wednesday.

Sacci has called on its members to submit proposals on how to survive rolling blackouts.

"Sacci believes that in situations such as this it is not only in the interests of business, but of the country as a whole, that concerted and unified action is necessary," said Khumalo.

Eskom said on Wednesday there was no indication of rolling blackouts, but the power grid remained under pressure.

READ: Fear of unforeseen Eskom system collapse

"We do not foresee the need to go into load shedding, but the system remained tight," the media desk said.

Khumalo said Sacci was gravely concerned about the "parlous situation" Eskom found itself in. Sacci has undertaken to work with Eskom to find solutions to the problems.

"Sacci has, therefore, appealed to its members to submit any proposals that they may have to alleviate the situation, for joint consideration by Eskom and Sacci," saod Khumalo.

"In the meantime, Sacci appeals to consumers to limit the use of electricity as far as possible such as, but not limited to, switching off all unnecessary lights and appliances."

On Friday last week, energy sector analyst Chris Yelland said there was no quick fix for the rolling blackouts, Eskom's financial issues and its maintenance backlog, so South Africans would have to learn to "live with it".

Yelland said Eskom's problems included financial and operational sustainability.

READ: Yelland's 15 point plan for Eskom to solve crisis

Asked on Friday if Eskom's financial problems were to blame for the rolling blackouts, Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe said: "Partly, I would say yes. We need money to buy parts for the maintenance, but that is not the only reason. Maintenance in the previous years, from about 2010, has been deferred."

Eskom had indicated in 2014 that it needed R50bn for the work it was doing and for operational needs.

Phasiwe said government had indicated it would give Eskom R20bn, but that this was not enough.

Eskom was working on a number of options to get the balance of the money it needed to complete its Medupi, Kusile, and Ingula power stations.

Phasiwe said Eskom had already issued bonds in both local and international markets and had approached other institutions for funds.

ALSO READ: Nene: Eskom must get its house in order

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.88
+0.3%
Rand - Pound
23.86
+0.2%
Rand - Euro
20.38
+0.3%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.32
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.2%
Platinum
908.05
0.0%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent-ruolie
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders