Close Menu
TechCentralTechCentral

    Subscribe to the newsletter

    Get the best South African technology news and analysis delivered to your e-mail inbox every morning.

    Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube LinkedIn
    WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn YouTube
    TechCentralTechCentral
    • News

      ‘Oh, Ani!’: Elon’s edgy bot stirs ethical storm

      18 July 2025

      Trump U-turn on Nvidia spurs talk of grand bargain with China

      18 July 2025

      Netflix premieres first AI-generated scene

      18 July 2025

      MultiChoice: We can’t afford to compete without help

      17 July 2025

      The internet’s weakest link is under the ocean

      17 July 2025
    • World

      Grok 4 arrives with bold claims and fresh controversy

      10 July 2025

      Samsung’s bet on folding phones faces major test

      10 July 2025

      Bitcoin pushes higher into record territory

      10 July 2025

      OpenAI to launch web browser in direct challenge to Google Chrome

      10 July 2025

      Cupertino vs Brussels: Apple challenges Big Tech crackdown

      7 July 2025
    • In-depth

      The 1940s visionary who imagined the Information Age

      14 July 2025

      MultiChoice is working on a wholesale overhaul of DStv

      10 July 2025

      Siemens is battling Big Tech for AI supremacy in factories

      24 June 2025

      The algorithm will sing now: why musicians should be worried about AI

      20 June 2025

      Meta bets $72-billion on AI – and investors love it

      17 June 2025
    • TCS

      TCS+ | Samsung unveils significant new safety feature for Galaxy A-series phones

      16 July 2025

      TCS+ | MVNX on the opportunities in South Africa’s booming MVNO market

      11 July 2025

      TCS | Connecting Saffas – Renier Lombard on The Lekker Network

      7 July 2025

      TechCentral Nexus S0E4: Takealot’s big Post Office jobs plan

      4 July 2025

      TCS | Tech, townships and tenacity: Spar’s plan to win with Spar2U

      3 July 2025
    • Opinion

      A smarter approach to digital transformation in ICT distribution

      15 July 2025

      In defence of equity alternatives for BEE

      30 June 2025

      E-commerce in ICT distribution: enabler or disruptor?

      30 June 2025

      South Africa pioneered drone laws a decade ago – now it must catch up

      17 June 2025

      AI and the future of ICT distribution

      16 June 2025
    • Company Hubs
      • Africa Data Centres
      • AfriGIS
      • Altron Digital Business
      • Altron Document Solutions
      • Altron Group
      • Arctic Wolf
      • AvertITD
      • Braintree
      • CallMiner
      • CambriLearn
      • CYBER1 Solutions
      • Digicloud Africa
      • Digimune
      • Domains.co.za
      • ESET
      • Euphoria Telecom
      • Incredible Business
      • iONLINE
      • Iris Network Systems
      • LSD Open
      • NEC XON
      • Network Platforms
      • Next DLP
      • Ovations
      • Paracon
      • Paratus
      • Q-KON
      • SevenC
      • SkyWire
      • Solid8 Technologies
      • Telit Cinterion
      • Tenable
      • Vertiv
      • Videri Digital
      • Wipro
      • Workday
    • Sections
      • AI and machine learning
      • Banking
      • Broadcasting and Media
      • Cloud services
      • Contact centres and CX
      • Cryptocurrencies
      • Education and skills
      • Electronics and hardware
      • Energy and sustainability
      • Enterprise software
      • Fintech
      • Information security
      • Internet and connectivity
      • Internet of Things
      • Investment
      • IT services
      • Lifestyle
      • Motoring
      • Public sector
      • Retail and e-commerce
      • Science
      • SMEs and start-ups
      • Social media
      • Talent and leadership
      • Telecoms
    • Events
    • Advertise
    TechCentralTechCentral
    Home » News » Molefe backtracks on warning of blackouts

    Molefe backtracks on warning of blackouts

    By Agency Staff9 March 2016
    Twitter LinkedIn Facebook WhatsApp Email Telegram Copy Link
    News Alerts
    WhatsApp

    eskom-640

    Eskom CEO Brian Molefe on Wednesday retracted his previous statement that the lower tariff hike granted by energy regulator Nersa would lead to load shedding this year.

    Eskom issued a statement shortly after Nersa’s decision to grant it an additional R11,2bn in revenue for 2016/2017 — almost half of the amount the power utility had originally requested. In the statement, Eskom warned it could not guarantee that the lights would stay on.

    Addressing members of parliament’s oversight committee on public enterprises, Molefe said Nersa’s decision did put a “hole in Eskom’s balance sheet”.

    “We did indeed warn that the lower tariff hike could result in problems keeping the grid stable,” Molefe said.

    “However, we as management went on a three-day retreat to look at the implications of Nersa’s decision and I’m happy to report we put measures in place to make sure load shedding doesn’t happen.”

    One of the main reasons Nersa didn’t want to grant Eskom’s application of an additional R22bn in tariff hikes was Eskom’s reliance on diesel-powered open cycle gas turbines — by far the biggest item on the utility’s expense account.

    “The decision of Nersa (to grant less than Eskom had applied for) related to our use of diesel in 2013 to avoid load shedding. That means if we do use diesel to avoid load shedding, it will punch a bigger hole in our balance sheet. But we’ll find ways to deal with it.”

    Democratic Alliance MP Natasha Mazzone said during question time that her party plans to press criminal charges against municipalities which owe Eskom a total of R6bn in outstanding debt.

    Molefe said laying criminal charges is not on the cards. “We believe in a more constructive approach and we’re discussing the matter and putting solutions on the table.

    “At least at provincial level Eskom is stepping in and we’ve started installing prepaid meters and collecting the money on behalf of municipalities who are prepared to pay prepaid,” Molefe said.

    Certain municipalities are in arrears, he added, because they are not able to adjust the increase in electricity tariffs. “We are helping them and proposing to act as a sub-contractor to help them with revenue collection.”

    Fin24



    Brian Molefe Eskom Nersa
    Subscribe to TechCentral Subscribe to TechCentral
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram Email Copy Link
    Previous ArticleThe Uberisation of everything
    Next Article Gustav Smit to step down at DFA

    Related Posts

    Eskom targets 32GW green energy shift by 2040

    16 July 2025

    Eskom wants your solar system registered – but what does that actually mean?

    15 July 2025

    Medupi unit 4 rejoins grid, easing winter load shedding fears

    7 July 2025
    Company News

    Vertiv to acquire custom rack solutions manufacturer

    18 July 2025

    SA businesses embrace gen AI – but strategy and skills are lagging

    17 July 2025

    Ransomware in South Africa: the human factor behind the growing crisis

    16 July 2025
    Opinion

    A smarter approach to digital transformation in ICT distribution

    15 July 2025

    In defence of equity alternatives for BEE

    30 June 2025

    E-commerce in ICT distribution: enabler or disruptor?

    30 June 2025

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the best South African technology news and analysis delivered to your e-mail inbox every morning.

    © 2009 - 2025 NewsCentral Media

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.