President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Energy Crisis Council says that South Africa can add close to 2,000MW onto the grid within the next three months, which would help to alleviate some of the stresses at Eskom. However, even with the boost, the power utility will continue to face a 4,000MW shortfall in generation – so the risk of load shedding will continue. Longer-term plans are in place, but these will only take effect in the next 12-18 months.
5 billion worth of fruitless and wasteful expenditure wasn’t even investigated. [Strike season in South Africa continues with the motor industry next on the list to threaten a shutdown. Worker union Numsa has threatened to down tools in the sector after wage negotiations deadlocked. The union has demanded a wage increase of 20% across the board and other protections in a one-year agreement. Employers prefer a three-year deal with wage increases linked to CPI.