Will government help Eskom keep the lights on?

The treat of load shedding has again become a reality for South African’s with Eskom running into even more problems.

Friday saw stage one load shedding implemented around the country from 11am to 10pm.

It has now been reported Eskom will have run out of money to buy diesel which it desperately needs to run open gas turbines by the middle of next month (February).

There’s still no indication from government when it will announce if it’s willing to help Eskom financially.

The power giant is battling to keep up with the demands for electricity after a coal silo at its Majuba power station in Mpumalanga collapsed last year.

It’s been several weeks since Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa was appointed to implement a turnaround strategy for Eskom.

He is yet to announce his action plan or indicate how government will help the company.

Meanwhile, the National Treasury said that Eskom should stop running the cash-guzzling diesel-fired power plants after the prescribed minimum period has elapsed.

Eskom’s Andrew Etzinger said, “On the one hand we would like to keep the lights burning, but on the other, as National Treasury points out, we’re in an unsustainable position from a financial perspective.

“So, tough decisions have to be made.”

The continued threat of load shedding has been accompanied by warnings of a national black out.

Energy experts and economists have warned a government bailout will not help Eskom in the long-term to deal with the electricity crisis.

The company said it’s expecting about R20 billion from government to help it continue buying diesel.

Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene has reportedly read the riot act to Eskom bosses, saying they must sort out their problems which are affecting the economy.

It is understood government will “play its part” but Nene warns that day-to-day operations are the company’s responsibility.