Listen to this article.
Compiled by Dylan Bettencourt
- Eskom head Dan Marokane warns that problems across the world could soon block supply routes that deliver important diesel fuel.
- South Africa has enjoyed over 300 days without power cuts because coal stations are finally working better and saving billions.
Eskom warns that problems across the world could block its diesel supply.
Group CEO Dan Marokane says the power company has enough diesel for the next two to three months. But he warned that world problems could stop fuel deliveries.
“We don’t know how long this tension is going to be sustained and whether it will dip into a point where supply routes are disrupted,” he said, BusinessDay reported.
Eskom wants to keep its diesel use very low this winter because fuel is expensive.
Right now, Eskom is saving billions of rands by burning much less diesel. Marokane said this is because the coal power stations are working so much better.
Eskom uses diesel to run emergency turbines during power shortages. It has always been a very expensive way to stop power cuts.
Eskom released its winter plan on Wednesday. It spent about R6.4-billion on diesel in the year up to March.
This is a huge drop. The company spent about R26.9-billion more than this in 2023.
South Africa has now gone over 300 days without load shedding.
At the end of March, Eskom’s power availability was over 65%. Last year it was under 60%.
Over 340,000 customers who used to face load reduction will now get steady electricity. The Northern Cape and Western Cape are completely removed from load reduction.
Pictured above: Eskom infrastructure.
Image source: File
