Year: 2023

The Kusile Conundrum In the heart of Witbank, Mpumalanga, lies a multi-billion rand mammoth: the Kusile power station. With a robust 3,200MW capacity, this coal-fired behemoth has been pegged as the game-changer to curtail escalating load shedding. However, last October, the stakes heightened when a section of the flue-gas desulphurisation (FGD) duct at Kusile Unit […]

This Week in Power Hold onto your hats, folks! Eskom’s got a rollercoaster of a week ahead for power users. They’ve just let out their load shedding game plan, and we’re seeing a little hopscotch between stages. The Shedding Schedule: But remember, this is Eskom. “All schedules are subject to change at any point.” Behind […]

Load-shedding Stages Shift The nation’s power provider, Eskom, has laid out its cards for the weekend. Brace yourselves, folks. Stage 5 load-shedding will linger until the early hours of Saturday, 9 September 2023. But there’s a silver lining. Eskom projects a boost in generation recovery over the weekend. Thus, as Saturday dawns, load-shedding will recede […]

Deputy President’s Pledge Deputy President Paul Mashatile is hopeful. Addressing the Parliamentary Press Gallery Association recently, he confidently stated, “We want to put [load shedding] behind us next year.” With South Africa grappling with the dark specter of load shedding, this commitment brings a glint of hope. But will 2024 truly be the end of […]

Eskom’s Recent Bulletin: “Thursday, 07 September 2023 Due to improved generation capacity and emergency reserves, Stage 5 loadshedding will be implemented tomorrow from 05:00 until 16:00. Eskom will publish another update on Friday afternoon. We plead with members of the public to reduce the demand during the evening peak between 17:00 to 21:00.” Mastering the […]

The Big Picture Moody’s Investors Service, in a much-anticipated move, has elevated Eskom’s credit rating. A significant relief, no doubt, but with it comes an array of observations and concerns. A Closer Look at the Upgrade What Fueled the Upgrade? Conditions and Expectations Concerns and Challenges Ahead The Road Ahead: Predictions and Warnings The Silver […]

Behind the Blackouts As South Africa navigates the murky waters of Stage 6 load shedding, Electricity Minister Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa pulls back the curtain, spotlighting Eskom’s maintenance shortcomings as the central culprit. Why the Power Outages? Eskom’s Efforts and Challenges While South Africa remains in the dark, both literally and figuratively, with the current Stage […]

A Return to Power Woes South Africa found itself once again facing the intensity of Stage 6 load shedding. At the heart of the matter? Eskom’s challenges with its maintenance schedule and a sudden loss of two critical generation units. The Maintenance Dilemma Short-Term Strain for Long-Term Gain Seasonal Insights: From Winter to Summer Surprisingly, […]

“Stage 6 Load Shedding will be implemented from 05:00 on Tuesday until further notice.” Eskom’s recent announcement has left many on edge. The power utility shared that they’re cranking up load shedding to stage 6 – and it’s not just for a day or two. Key Points: Stay tuned, as Eskom promises further updates on […]

FNB Banks on a Sunnier Future South Africa, are you ready to shine a little brighter? FNB has some electrifying news for those looking to harness the sun’s power. The Big Picture: The government’s Energy Bounce Back (EBB) Loan Guarantee Scheme, previously available only to commercial entities, will soon cater to Mr. and Mrs. Smith […]