NATIONAL

South Africa's Eskom to reduce power cuts but long-term outlook bleak

Eskom Reveals 3,000 Megawatts Improvement in Breakdowns

The generation executive pointed out that there has been an improvement specifically at Tutuka, Duvha, Kendall, and Majuba power plants. Minister of Electricity, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa also addressed the media during the Sunday briefing and said the country is closer to achieving its target of 70 percent Energy Availability Factor (EAF).

ESKOM, Trade Unions Reach Agreement Over Wage Increase

South Africa's Eskom to reduce power cuts but long-term outlook bleak
South African trade unions and the power utility Eskom had been in talks since April and now, after discussing for months, they have finally come to an agreement of three years, where workers will get a 7% hike every year. Negotiators for the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), and the Solidarity Union have reached an agreement, after bargaining with Eskom.
More news
'Unite Against Crime': A public awareness campaign in Johannesburg last year

Crime-ridden S.Africa Records Three Murders Per Hour

Some 6,289 people were killed in the country -- which has one of the world's highest murder rates -- between January and March, up 3.4 percent on the same period last year. Yet, Police Minister Bheki Cele, who has long been under fire over the rampant crime, said the overall picture was improving. "We are gradually gaining back the ground from criminals," Cele told a press conference. The leading opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), reiterated calls for Cele to be fired.
Many businesses in South Africa have turned to generators to keep operating as blackouts worsen

Energy Firm Warns S.Africa To Brace For 'Difficult Winter'

Eskom warned that it may ramp up crippling power outages to prevent a national grid collapse as winter arrives in the coming weeks. Winter demand for power is expected to surge to around 33,000 megawatts but Eskom is only able to produce 26,000 megawatts out of its installed capacity of 47,500 megawatts. Already the country is going into winter with a shortfall of some 3,000 megawatts compared to last year as its Koeberg nuclear power station is undergoing an overhaul.
Solar Panel

National Treasury Makes Changes To 'Bounce Back' Solar-Related Loans

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said that the government will guarantee solar-related loans to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on a 20% first-loss basis. Moreover, it will "facilitate the leasing of rooftop solar by households and SMEs." "National Treasury has also made changes to the Bounce Back Loan Guarantee Scheme (introduced in 2022) to incentivise rooftop solar investments," Finance Minister said.
Record South African outages to remain

South Africa Can Keep Coal Fired Plants Running Longer, Climate Committee Says

The ruling African National Congress has recommended that state power utility Eskom delay the decommissioning of its ageing coal-fired power stations to help minimise rolling electricity outages. President Cyril Ramaphosa has said the total cost could prove 10 times higher than what Western donors are offering to finance. South Africa's national target for emissions reductions is 398-510 MtCO2e by 2025, and 350-420 MtCO2e by 2030.

Pages